How to Coach Yourself and Others Coaching Families | Page 190

Structure of a Family Therapy Session
(From an eHow Contributor )
Family communication is an evolving and complicated issue for most families. Sometimes a family therapy
session is the only place where each family member can have a voice. As children grow and marriages
evolve, the lack of communication within a family may cause issues, anger and sadness in some family
members.
Family therapy sessions help with issues like divorce, financial problems, grief, depression, stress and
substance abuse. As a counsellor, you will need to have all voices heard to find out what issues or problems
each of the family members bring to the family dynamic.

Instructions
1. Research and Background
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1 Ask the family member who initiated the family session why he feels the family needs the
therapy.This will give you his perspective on the situation and on what is happening to the family.

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2 Find out which family members are involved, and invite them to the sessions. Let each family
member know that the therapy will not be effective if anyone misses a session. It is best to reschedule if
one family member cannot make it to a session.

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3 Conduct an individual and private session with each family member before commencing the family
session.

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4 Ask all family members why they think they need a family session. Inquire if they have any issues
with the family or any individual m V