A family therapist usually sees several members of the family at the same time in therapy sessions. Family therapy is a shift away from focusing on the faults of the individual “problem child” to include and treat wider systemic family issues. Even when individual biological or personality factors are involved, the entire family is usually affected.

Family therapy examines patterns of interaction rather than only analyzing subconscious impulses or early childhood traumas. A family therapist has the advantage of experiencing the various ways that family members perceive their mutual relationships as well as how family members interact and communicate with one another. These patterns frequently mirror habitual interaction patterns at home and often maintain the status quo. The family system tends to have a life of its own, as an emergent property separate, but related to each individual member. When a family system is maladaptive, individual members manifest different symptoms. Likewise, when an individual is ill or suffering, the entire family is impacted.

Depending on circumstances, the therapist may point out to family members patterns of relationship and communication that the family might not have noticed or are stuck in, as well as suggesting different ways of responding to other family members. These changes in awareness, response and communication may help trigger repercussions in the whole family system, often leading to a healthier and more adaptive family constellation.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and parent education are often used in family therapy to help shape and improve behavioral patterns with defiant or “acting-up” children. The therapist helps the parents develop a behavioral management system that identify the antecedent behaviors, responses and consequences (e.g. suitable rewards or punishment) that help to decrease negative behavior and increase positive behavior. Most importantly, the program is tailored to the family’s unique needs, with the therapist providing any necessary coaching and adjustment of the behavioral management program until it works.