Stress
From the 1950’s till now the United States has changed a lot. There are more problems and stresses in life than there were fifty years ago. Family therapy was not an option nor was it necessary for most families. Families suffer, relationships suffer and work suffers. All aspects of life cause stress. Life can be more complicated and more stressful especially to the American teenager. We have seen the results of stress and mental hardship on teenagers with the recent outbreaks of random school shootings. Teenagers have enough to deal with when it comes to school and peer pressure and finding themselves. Now the media pours ideals into their heads regarding what their body should look like, what clothes they should buy, what brand of cigarette to smoke, what hair style they should have, and what kind of car they should drive. All these pressures combined with a daily teenage life can lead to depression, suicide, drug use, and alienation from their parents and family. Parents can no longer understand their children. Some parents have no idea how to correct the situation and opt for prescription drugs like anti depressants. These drugs can sometimes lead to even worse behavior. Many parents try to speak to their children to no avail as they cannot relate to the problems of the average teenager. A last resort for many parents is Family therapy. Family therapy in most cases should be the second step. Parents cannot realize nor speak to their children about their problems because their children see them as the non understanding authority figure. An outside therapist can sometimes be the answer. Family therapy gives child and parent a venue to express themselves without being in the confines of the home rules and laws. Family therapy gives the child an outlet to fully express their feelings without persecution. One on one sessions are sometimes part of family therapy where children can express their feelings if they fear their parents. Family therapy can also become a way for families to open up to each other and even become closer than before. There are many who believe that the teen who committed the columbine murders would have not killed any of his classmates if he had been given the attention he needed and attended family therapy. Family therapy is not broadcasted to the world so if a teen feels as if they will be teased for it then they need not worry. One of the best ways to bring a family together is through family therapy. Not only do parent and child come together but so can husband and wife.
The divorce rate in the country is at an all time high. Couples start out their journey in love and ready to be together forever and end in misery and divorce. Many couples are seeking to change the growing trend in divorce and commit to their vows. These couples are deciding to go to marriage counseling or couples counseling. Even non married couples are going to couples counseling. These are the couples that wish to make it to the wedding day and have hit a rocky party early on. All relationships are about commitment and cooperation. Couples therapy builds on these cornerstones and helps construct a happy loving relationship. Couples who decided to attend are more often than not happier in the end and continue to love and respect one another. Couples who agree to attend couples therapy are more likely to still love each other and be willing to do whatever it takes to save the relationship. A couple unwilling to try couples counseling has already given up and most likely on its way to divorce or break up.