The family is the foundation of a support network for people around the world. This is why family therapy can be so beneficial for families where one or more individuals are using drugs and alcohol. They need to work through things together so they can begin the recovery journey together. The family therapy activities employed in these sessions can work wonders to facilitate a positive family dynamic. Through this therapeutic modality, it is possible to ensure a solid foundation for lasting recovery and a balanced mental state. For more information on how our family therapy program can help heal and grow your family, reach out to the experts at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® today at 855.773.0614.
What Is Family Therapy?
The basic premise of family therapy is that family dynamics have the power to help solve problems. Sometimes, working through trauma, mental illness, or the difficulties of life is best addressed in the presence of family members. A therapist administers family therapy to a whole family or multiple members of a family. Whether your family has experienced a devastating loss or needs to work through some mental difficulties together, the activities employed in these sessions are invaluable for positive growth, clarity, and closeness within the family.
Types of Family Therapy Activities
Behavioral health issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and anger don’t just affect the individual. They can affect the whole family. Through family therapy and under the guidance of a licensed therapist, your family is better able to heal and grow closer together as a unit while helping each other conquer problems in the process.
The Big Question
A common and highly effective family therapy activity is the big question, commonly referred to as the miracle question. In this activity, a therapist will ask family members big questions that reveal their true goals, dreams, and intentions for the future. By answering questions about their dream job and their goals for the future, the family can understand what drives them and what their needs and ideas of happiness entail.
By asking a big miracle question like this, this family therapy activity can help family members develop a deeper bond and understanding of each other.
The Emotion Ball
Another example of a fun and constructive activity for family therapy is the emotion ball game. In this game, the therapist will provide a ball on which they have written the names of different emotions such as happiness or sadness. The family will then roll the ball between family members. Depending on which feeling you touch, you will describe a time when you felt this emotion. This exercise is excellent for learning to be comfortable around family members and opening up about and discussing emotions.
Mirroring
Mirroring involves two family members having to mirror each other’s movements and words. Two family members will stand or sit face to face and perform movements or day phrases that the therapist provides. This family therapy activity aims to build trust, communication, and a stronger bond. Most families that try this one end up having some fun with it.
Building Trust and Connection at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®
Does an individual family member need additional support from therapy? Alternatively, does the family need to improve the health of their dynamic? If so, these family therapy activities can help build a solid foundation of trust and communication. These are just a few examples of family therapy activities that can help to cultivate a stronger bond. It can also provide emotional support for struggling family members.
In addition to family therapy, we may recommend a range of additional therapeutic programs, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Experiential therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT)
Reach out to the team at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® today at 855.773.0614 to learn more about how family therapy and other therapeutic modalities can benefit your family.
