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Key Takeaways:
- Family trauma therapy treats acute, chronic, and complex trauma with the help of a counselor.
- Undergoing family trauma therapy can address issues stemming from abuse, neglect, chronic illness, imprisonment, homelessness, and other life-changing events.
- Types of family trauma therapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and more.
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Family trauma can create deep emotional wounds and affect relationships between family members. Fortunately, family trauma therapy provides an effective avenue for healing by helping families process their traumatic experiences together.
Learn how family trauma therapy works, what techniques therapists employ, and how to find the right counselor for your family.
What is Family Trauma Therapy
Family trauma therapy is a type of collaborative psychotherapy that helps families heal and grow after experiencing a shared traumatic event. It aims to improve family dynamics and communication while addressing each member’s needs.
Family trauma therapy typically treats:
- Acute trauma stemming from a single traumatic experience
- Chronic trauma resulting from prolonged traumatic events
- Complex trauma from prolonged abuse or neglect
How Does Family Trauma Therapy Work?
In family trauma therapy, the therapist serves as a guide by creating a safe space for each family member to express their concerns. They encourage family members to share their feelings and experiences related to a specific traumatic event while implementing techniques like trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems therapy, and play therapy for families with younger children.
Types of Trauma Family Trauma Therapy Helps With
Family trauma therapy can address multiple types of trauma, including the following:
- Domestic abuse
- Abandonment
- Loss due to a natural disaster
- Life-threatening circumstances and near-death experiences
- Racism and prejudice
- Sexual assault
- Job loss
- Low socioeconomic status
- Death of a loved one
- Separation or divorce
- Terrorism and other forms of violence
- Crime
- Bullying
- Imprisonment
- Illness or injury
- Intergenerational trauma
- Childhood trauma
Ultimately, family trauma therapy can help families suffering from any type of emotional or psychological harm.
What are the Benefits of Family Trauma Therapy?
The primary benefit of family trauma therapy is creating a safe space for family members to process their emotions and experiences. In particular, it benefits children and teenagers needing additional help when they feel vulnerable.
Below are the other significant benefits of attending family trauma therapy:
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Improved communication: Trauma can create space between family members, especially when some don’t see eye-to-eye. Through family trauma therapy, family members can effectively address underlying issues by improving their communication methods. By doing so, family members can feel heard, supported, and connected.
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Reduced trauma symptoms and lower anxiety: Bottling up intense feelings can become detrimental to an individual’s well-being. Suppression can lead to more emotional distress and an overall reduced quality of life. Through family trauma therapy, individuals learn tools and techniques to address the root causes of the trauma and eliminate stressors.
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Eliminated negative patterns and behaviors: Sometimes, trauma leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge eating or substance use. Family trauma therapy can break these negative habits by developing new patterns of communication.
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Enhanced family dynamics: Family trauma therapy goes beyond addressing root problems—it helps members develop stronger bonds and more trusting relationships.
What are Techniques Used in Family Trauma Therapy?
Different techniques suit different family problems, and your therapist may use a combination of the techniques below:
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to break negative thoughts and habits among family members [*]. It challenges negative beliefs that members may have formed after the traumatic experience through relaxation techniques and other coping mechanisms.
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Family systems therapy: This type of therapy focuses on how family members interact with and affect each other. It delves into their interconnectedness and improves their dynamics by exploring family roles, identifying potentially harmful patterns, and developing strategies for strengthening relationships.
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Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Acceptance and commitment therapy encourages family members to acknowledge the traumatic event and sit with negative feelings wholly, even when they’re uncomfortable [*]. It helps family members honor their experiences without suppressing them.
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Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This unique therapy type uses eye movements to help family members process traumatic memories. Therapists use rapid eye movements to help family members re-process traumatic memories by reducing the negative emotional charge associated with these experiences [*].
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Play therapy: For families with younger children, play therapy can help them express trauma-related emotions in a safer environment [*]. Therapists might use toys, art, and other creative facilities to help children discuss their feelings.
How to Find a Good Family Trauma Counselor
Part of successful family trauma therapy is finding a counselor best suited to your needs. A good family trauma counselor should be easy to communicate with, intuitive, and adaptable. Here are some tips for finding the right family trauma counselor for you:
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Research therapists online: A quick search can provide much information about a potential family trauma therapist. Explore online directories to find therapists with the appropriate specialty and proximity to your location. Read verified reviews from former patients to determine whether they’re a good fit.
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Ask for referrals: A simple way to find a suitable family therapist is to ask your healthcare provider or a trusted family member or friend. Get information from people with firsthand experience to set your expectations.
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Go through your insurance: If you have health insurance, your provider can supply you with a list of accredited family trauma therapists. Many insurance providers have a network of certified therapists, which can be a quick and straightforward way to find one.
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Have an initial conversation: Once you’ve narrowed your selection of potential therapists, have an initial discussion about their credentials, experience, and approach.
How Long Does Family Trauma Therapy Take?
On average, family trauma therapy can last several months to a year, depending on the severity of the trauma. If the family requires immediate symptom reduction, they might opt for short-term family trauma therapy, which lasts between 8 and 20 sessions.
The Bottom Line
A traumatic experience can change your life, but it doesn’t have to impair how your family functions. With the appropriate techniques used in family trauma therapy, you can overcome stressors and create a more supportive home environment.
Recovering from trauma doesn’t happen overnight. Supplement your child’s healing journey with our trauma worksheets.
Sources:
- Cohen J. “Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and families.” Psychotherapy Research, 2018.
- Rowe-Johnson K, Browning B, and Scott B. “Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on trauma-related symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2024.
- Cinzia Perlini, Donisi V, Rossetti MG, Chiara Moltrasio, Bellani M, Brambilla P. “The potential role of EMDR on trauma in affective disorders: A narrative review.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 2020.
- Boyer W. “Trauma-Focused Family Therapy With Children and Their Families.” The Family Journal, 2019.
