How online therapy can help solve some fo the biggest problems faced by blended families
Adapting to a blended family can be difficult, especially in the first few years. Find out how you can solve some of the biggest problems with online therapy.
When couples begin a new family with the children they have had together along with their children from previous relationships, then forming new bonds becomes really challenging especially for kids in the house. So, if you are facing blended family problems and looking for a therapist for blended families near you, this article is for you.
Opening up about your problems and having meaningful communication with a therapist can help you view your problems with a new perspective and assist you in forming fresh relationships with your new family. Couples or all other family members can seek help from therapists to resolve disagreements and have a new start.
How can counseling help blended families?
According to studies, it takes almost two to five years for a blended family to fully adapt and become dynamic. Every member has to evolve into new roles, parents have to set boundaries around parenting and children have to adapt to new rules and disciplines. This could lead to a number of issues such as:
- Legal and financial conflicts
- Rivalry and identity problems among children
- Attention issues
- Problems with ex-spouse
Family therapy provides a solid platform for family members to address such issues and voice their emotions.
Therapy or counseling is especially helpful for children as it lets them express their fears and concerns about their place in the new family. This way, parents become aware of the true emotions of the kids and get a chance to help them in the right way by assuring their continued love and support.
As a result, children become comforted that they will keep receiving love and care from their parents and don’t try to seek attention or develop rivalries with stepbrothers or sisters. Therapy also helps parents in building new associations with their stepchildren.
Therapy approaches for blended families
There are numerous approaches to family counseling. The first one is family therapy where blended families attend the sessions as a group and the therapists also plan some separate interactive sessions with every member of the family to have one-on-one interaction with parents and children.
Another type of therapy is family system therapy where therapists investigate the interaction of blended families outside the usual therapy sessions.
Being introduced to a new family condition can take a heavy toll on a child’s mind and therapy can help the child heal from the state of confusion, grief, or even trauma. In family attachment narrative therapy, therapists restore the child’s bonding with the parent or help in developing a new relationship with the step-parent.
Likewise, in a narrative family therapy approach, every member of the family communicates with the therapist and shares their viewpoint of the problem. Narrative therapy helps in unblocking communication and initiating new bonds.
Lastly, there is attachment-based family therapy where parents and children learn to function after going through their past family matters, mental health issues, and divorce problems. It is also helpful for teens dealing with suicidal thoughts or having difficulties in mixing with new families.
In short, counseling is the most appropriate way to deal with blended family problems and make every family member feel special, voiced, and assured of love and care in the new family.
