Information
: overview
of therapy
What is an MFT?
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are core mental health practitioners educated
and trained to help with relationship difficulties. They diagnose and treat
the mental disorders and emotional problems of individuals, couples, families
and groups.
As mental health professionals, they are trained to diagnose and treat patients
with problems that stem from unresolved interpersonal or family of origin issues
or that compound current relationship difficulties.
Marriage and family therapy is highly effective because of the “systemic” approach
that its therapists bring to treatment. They believe that an individual’s
mental or emotional problems must be treated within the context of his or her
current or prior relationships. This treatment philosophy is consistent with
current thinking in the health care field, which increasingly emphasizes integration
and coordination of services and involvement of the family for productive and
meaningful help.
Why Seek and MFT?
Marriage and Family Therapists are relationship experts. As a result,
they are able to treat a patient’s condition quickly—a cost-effective and
practical approach to mental healthcare and a prime reason so many physicians
and others refer patients to MFTs. They work in California’s courts and
schools as well as its health institutions, child and elder protective services,
mental health treatment centers and private settings. They also collaborate with
and refer to other health professionals such as physicians or psychiatrists in
the case of prescribing medications.
Distress Signals—MFTs can help with:
Alcohol or drug use
Behavioral problems
Chronic or life threatening illness
Conflicts with co-workers
Depression
Difficulty coping with changing lifestyles
Divorce or separation
Emotional stress or anxiety
Family conflict or tension
Fear, anger or guilt
Feelings of loneliness, isolation
Grief or emotional pain
Moodiness
Sexual disturbances
Unexplained eating patterns
Unexplained fatigue
Unexplained injuries to family members
Who Do We Treat?
Couples
MFTs treat couples in the context of their lives to address their diverse lifestyles,
cultural backgrounds and religious/political affiliations. Married or unmarried,
heterosexual and gay/lesbian couples often seek counseling with an MFT to reduce
conflict or increase intimacy by addressing communications patterns, developmental
concerns and /or lifestyle issues. Couples who are divorcing often find that
therapy during the separations process provides a common ground for resolving
painful interpersonal and child custody disputes, thus providing cost-effective
alternatives and support to reduce litigation. More couples are seeking counseling
before marriage to assess compatibility and learn tools they need to succeed
as a couple.
Families
MFTs are trained in family dynamics and work to develop healthy and productive
relationships and nurture positive behaviors in families so that each member
can realize his or her full potential. Today family life is more complex than
ever. There are more step-families, single parents, same sex parents, grandparents
engaged in raising grandchildren and homes where both parents work. As traditional
support systems may be absent or distant, families can turn to mental health
professionals for help.
Children
Children learn and grow through family support, social interaction
and school experiences. Their emotional and physical well-being are
compromised by parenting conflict, physical and sexual abuse, and
custody battles. Aggressive behaviors, “acting
out,” and poor academic performance are often symptomatic of important
developmental challenges that children need to resolve in order to grow into
healthy, productive adults. Children who are treated early in life for mental
disorders are less likely to grow into dysfunctional adults. MFTs use a combination
of focused education, retraining and individual therapy in a safe, non-directive
environment to help child heal. They will include parents, families and often
teachers and significant others in the therapeutic process.
Elders
Counseling with an MFT will often reduce an elderly patient’s distress
and use of unnecessary medical services by addressing underlying emotional issues
and helping the patient to regain ability to cope with daily living activities.
The accumulated losses of health, family, friends, social status, mobility and
finances can become overwhelming. Family and neighbors may notice withdrawal,
declining hygiene or increased visits to the emergency room as an older adult
attempts to cope with isolation and adjusting to new circumstances. MFTs work
with the elders’ families and community resources to facilitate communication
and mutual understanding.
Individuals
MFTs also work in the more traditional practice modality of helping an individual
deal with family of origin issues, or with relationship problems that stem
from current work, friendship or family stressors. Treatment methods and
procedures vary according to the therapist. While one might use mental imagery,
another may rely on psychodynamic insights, EMDR or hypnosis. They may also
utilize art or play therapy as well as many other specialties or theoretical
orientations.
Specialty areas:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
A cognitive approach focuses on what the patient is thinking. The therapist assists
the patient in substituting positive thought for those that are negative or self-defeating.
The behavioral aspect would emphasize changes in behavioral patterns that are
dysfunctional or unwanted, starting with small changes and progressing to more
difficult changes in behavior patterns.
Psychodynamic Therapy
With a psychodynamic approach, therapists focus on the relationship between the
patient and the therapist as a model for understanding how the patient related
to others and works out problems. This approach also explores the relationship
of past traumas to current disorders. There may be more exploration of the past
and less suggestion and direction as part of this therapy.
Sex Therapy
Sexuality is part of the human experience and continues throughout the
lifespan. As such, sexual difficulties are rarely isolated and when they
occur they can negatively impact all aspects of one’s life. As a specialty, sex therapy
is a talk therapy which focuses on the complex interplay of one’s individual
history, cognitive patterns and behavioral dysfunctions that have led to an
impasse in past or current sexual relationships. The hallmark of sex therapy
is behavioral assignments that are practiced at home. It also encompasses changing
thought patterns that lead to healthier attitudes, and teaching communication
skills that will enhance couple intimacy.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse is an increasing risk in both adult and adolescent populations.
Since the excessive use of alcohol and drugs can have a debilitating effect on
the entire family as well as the healthy functioning of the individual, substance
abuse treatment is essential. It can help patients challenge these dependencies
and develop more balanced lives and better functioning relationships.
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