EXCEPTIONAL ADVICE FROM MESHELL THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY THERAPY: CREATING HEALTHY DYNAMICS WITHIN THE HOME

EXCEPTIONAL ADVICE FROM MESHELL

THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS

The Benefits of Family Therapy

Creating Healthy Dynamics Within the Home

By Meshell Baylor

THERE IS A QUOTE THAT STATES, “HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS.” WE AS INDIVIDUALS LIVE EVERYDAY LIVES COMMUNICATING WITH COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, AND ORDINARY PEOPLE; HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING AS SPECIAL AS THE LOVE ONE RECEIVES FROM THEIR OWN FAMILY. THE WORD “FAMILY” IS DERIVED FROM THE LATIN WORD FAMULUS, MEANING A HOUSEHOLD OF PEOPLE OF BLOOD RELATION LIVING UNDER THE SAME ROOF. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FAMILIES HAVE TRANSITIONED INTO VARIOUS DYNAMICS. YOU HAVE BLENDED FAMILIES, ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Families go through many transformations to remain stable, but what happens when you need support? Who are you going to call? Family therapy is a form of intervention for each member of the household to utilize expressive and receptive ways to communicate their wants and needs for the overall benefit of the family. For example, if a child or a loved one has been diagnosed with a disability or illness, the home is deeply impacted by the news. Everyone in the household processes their own emotions differently. The advantage of family therapy is to give everyone the freedom to actively express their feelings and concerns in a place where there is no judgment.

Through family therapy, I learned how my son’s disability impacted his brother. Feelings of resentment, loneliness, and lack of attention were presented in the session. Therapy became a way of assisting everyone in the household to utilize their voice. In the end, we were able to obtain positive resources, become receptive to our son’s needs, and locate a support group through our local regional center called Sib Shop. Sib Shop is a program for siblings of special needs children to express their opinions. Family therapy provides each participant in the household with the opportunity to speak with a professional who will support the family.

The advantages of family therapy include: • Uniting the family together following a crisis or any circumstance. • Creating honesty between members of the family. • Helping family members establish a sense of trust. • Developing a supportive family environment for every member if issues with anger, isolation, and/or resentment are present. • Securing positive reinforcement and activities to build the family’s foundation. • Establishing ways to maintain an open bridge of communication. Family therapy can help members to overcome tremendous obstacles for the dynamics within the home. All parties must be willing to sit down, discuss their feelings, and allow each person the floor to address their needs. We are nothing without the people who love us unconditionally. If therapy can keep us communicating effectively, it should not hurt to give it a try.

Family therapy can help members to overcome tremendous obstacles for the dynamics within the home. All parties must be willing to sit down, discuss their feelings, and allow each person the floor to address their needs.

Meshell Baylor is a mother of four children, two of whom are on the spectrum. She serves her community as a social worker and community advocate within the Los Angeles area. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Springfield College and a Master of Science in Human and Social Services. Meshell continues to volunteer and give within her community, serving the special needs community.