Family Counseling in Asheville, NC

Loved ones of addicts are frequently deceived, neglected, and taken advantage of throughout active addiction. When a loved one begins to descend the addiction slope, it can stir up unhealthy feelings and reactions. In spite of the fact that certain relationships developed during active addiction should be left in the past, family connections should be restored so that recovering individuals can have their own loving support network. During addiction treatment, our Asheville rehabilitation center provides counseling services that assist in family healing, addiction education, and maintaining a healthy support system.

What is Family Counseling?

Family Counseling is a type of family-level intervention that includes family-based assessments, participation, and approaches. Family support is crucial for those seeking substance abuse treatment. Treatment retention, substance abstinence, and sobriety are all positively affected by family support. The importance of support applies to all kinds of relationships. For example, behavioral couples counseling was found to be more effective than individual-based therapy at helping couples achieve sobriety and improved communication.

It is true that family involvement is important, but it is not for everyone. Some family members who have dealt with a loved one with substance abuse for a long time may be emotionally and psychologically drained, frightened of the unknown, or unwilling to share family problems with a stranger. Even if they have a different rationale, it may be helpful to talk with each family member about their concerns with a family therapist. Those who want to participate in therapy can, while those who are unwilling can join when they are ready.

Family Counseling’s Role in Addiction Treatment

Being supported by family members during recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a priceless benefit. Family support can increase an individual’s confidence, provide someone to talk to honestly, and encourage them to pursue their goals in sobriety, in addition to helping them do so. Family members of those with addictions also benefit from this type of therapy, as it allows them to learn more about this condition, reflect on themselves, and develop strategies to make their family unit stronger than before.

How Does Family Counseling Work at Asheville Recovery Center?

There are many ways that family Counseling is utilized within the addiction treatment process. The entire family may meet with a therapist, or only part of the family may meet, or in atypical scenarios, each member may meet with a therapist individually. A therapist meets with each family member for about an hour in each session, but the meetings may vary in structure depending on the family’s unique needs. In one session, the entire family might discuss their feelings and concerns, whereas, in another meeting, the therapists may educate them on effective communication and improved listening to decrease miscommunications.

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Individual Counseling vs. Family Counseling

It is not uncommon for individuals with substance abuse issues, depression issues, or other mental health issues to attend individual counseling sessions rather than family counseling sessions dedicated to their problems. However, family counseling may also be the primary form of treatment for individuals with a variety of issues, including substance abuse and other behavioral issues, without participating in individual counseling. Family counseling is thus beneficial for addressing a range of problems that affect family relationships as well as individual behaviors.

Components of Family Counseling in Asheville, NC

Family counseling addresses issues in a family by looking at the interactions among family members rather than focusing on one person’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Family counseling seeks to understand and validate the experiences of all family members and help bring clarity, repair, and closeness if they choose. Family therapists maintain that problems exist between people, not within them. The following are crucial components of family counseling:

Family Engagement

Family engagement is crucial in the treatment of a young adult with mental health issues. Family engagement interventions are typically delivered during the initial phase of treatment, but family counseling continually revisits investment and goal setting.

Relational Reframing

Relational Reframing is the second phase of Family System Therapy, and it is concerned with altering the way people think about problems and how they are solved. These changes are made in order to focus on family relationships rather than individuals. Irrational descriptions and attributions are also removed in order to focus on understanding why people behave the way they do based on those relationships.

Family Behavior Change

Family Behavior Change is the third core element, and it aims to shift family members’ behavior. These interventions aim to teach concrete new skills and encourage individual behavior changes in order to improve family relationships. Individuals and families are positively reinforced and coached in new skills and behaviors, in addition to one another.

Family Restructuring

Family Restructuring is the fourth element and aims to alter the way the family is governed by altering fundamental beliefs, premises, and family rules. Family members are encouraged to recognize the forces operating within their family and how they contribute to maladaptive behavior. As a result, family members are prompted to alter their attachment and emotional connections.

Benefits of Family Counseling

Family counseling has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of problems that are typically addressed in individual counseling, such as substance abuse in family members, personality disorders, and other co-occurring problems. Family counseling has also been shown to help families participate in the care of individuals with serious mental health problems such as schizophrenia. Family counseling provides the following advantages for people and their families:

Become Educated on Addiction

Behavioral problems resulting from substance use can be avoided if the nature of addiction and its ramifications are better comprehended. In addition to educating the individual, the family receives counseling to gain self-awareness and insight.

Improved Communication

When people are invested in the most successful recovery outcomes, improved communication is essential in a system where there may have been no communication or limited emotional involvement.

Restore Trust

Family members may not want to open their hearts or their wallets to help a loved one who has broken their trust. Dishonesty and substance abuse are often linked. Open communication, honest interaction, and witnessing positive change can help mend this breach.

Express Emotions

During active addiction, bridges can be burned. Family members may be either unable to express their anger or eager to do so, or they may be afraid of relapse or hopeful for reconciliation. It takes time to be able to recognize, balance, and express these emotions.

Set Boundaries

Everyone should set boundaries in order to achieve a healthy recovery for the family. Setting boundaries is difficult, but it’s an important first step. This may include cutting ties with any family members who are addicted and active.

Practice Self-Care

Family counseling in addiction treatment focuses on the individual with the addiction. During family counseling, a parent or spouse may discover that they also require assistance. Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and other mutual assistance groups may be recommended in addition to individual therapy.

How to Get the Most Out of Family Counseling

Family counseling can drastically improve your connection with your substance-dependent relative, as well as other family members. Addiction brings to light issues that have always been present in your family. A family psychologist will help you identify those problems. Family counseling is difficult emotionally, but it is where the real work occurs. You may enhance your connections with your loved ones if you commit to the process and accept new ways of behaving as an individual and family. Before you enter family counseling, compile a list of questions to ask the family therapist so that you understand their approach and what to expect during therapy and counseling sessions.

Family counseling is certain to generate issues, but preparing your thoughts on them in advance can provide you with a good starting point and help you communicate with your therapist what you want to focus on. Individual therapy can also assist you with family counseling. An individual therapist can help you process the emotions that arise in family counseling in addition to helping you with family counseling issues. They can also assist you with determining which issues you should bring to family counseling or express issues you are not yet prepared to disclose to those sessions.

Asheville Recovery Center –
A Family Center For Recovery

If you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment that emphasizes the family aspect of addiction, Asheville Recovery Centre can help. Treatment for addiction necessitates the collaboration of medical, psychological, and clinical experts as well as the commitment of the patient. Recovery is a disease that requires the assistance of medical, psychological, and clinical specialists as well as the patient’s commitment.

Our compassionate and dedicated team is here to assist you in starting your recovery journey today. Contact us today to ask any questions you may have and to get started, You don’t have to do it alone.