What Family Therapy is:
Family therapy at TAP utilizes principles of Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Family Integrated Transitions (FIT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), all of which are empirically supported treatments for addressing high-risk problem behaviors in adolescents. MST, FIT, and DBT incorporate behavioral and cognitive techniques to increase effective parenting strategies that both strengthen the relationship and support long-lasting change. These treatments are action-oriented, strengths-based approaches that empower parents in their roles and teach adolescents effective communication and self-regulation strategies.
Family therapy at TAP is geared towards addressing problem behaviors in adolescents, such as school truancy, physical/verbal aggression, impulsive behaviors, and problematic relationship dynamics. Family therapy generally involves the participation of the parents/caregivers and the identified child, and it may also involve siblings. Collaboration and clear benchmarks of improvement will be created and developed together in the initial sessions. Through the use of problem solving techniques and skill building, families will be able to translate what is being taught and practiced in therapy sessions to home life.
At TAP, we also offer behavioral parent training, which involves parents and caregivers but does not involve children. The focus of treatment is to help parents identify specific problem behaviors they would like to change in their child or children, how to reduce those behaviors, and how to reinforce or reward more effective behaviors.
Therapeutic Components:
- Structure: Family therapies are a structured and skills-based type of talk therapy that involve at least two family members.
- Theory: Different types of family therapy (e.g., DBT vs. CBT) have slightly different theories and approaches. However, all are anchored in the idea that families naturally create roles and expectations of each other than can impact how we relate to one another. By understanding familial roles, habits, or patterns, we can consider which are working for the family and which aren't.
- Intervention: Family interventions involve identifying family patterns (and the beliefs that maintain them), learning skills to better communicate with family members, and skills to increase family connection.
- Modalities: The TAP Clinic typically offers family therapy as an adjunct to other existing programs (e.g, DBT or BPT).
What Family Therapy Treats: