Family therapy doesn’t always mean everyone sits in the same room at the same time. In fact, the most effective healing often happens when we focus on one relationship at a time—whether that’s parent to child, sibling to sibling, or partner to partner. Therapy is customized to your family’s unique situation and evolves as your needs change.

Here are the different ways family therapy may be structured, depending on your concerns:

• Individual therapy for kids or teens – Older children and adolescents often need a private space to explore emotions, stress, identity, or trauma. This is especially helpful when they’re withdrawing, acting out, or facing bullying, anxiety, or school stress.

• Play-based therapy for younger children – Young children typically express themselves through play, not words. Play therapy helps them feel safe while gently exploring big emotions and family dynamics.

• Parent-child sessions – These help improve communication, rebuild trust, and repair ruptures in the relationship. They’re especially effective when a child avoids or resists their parent, or when conflict is escalating.

• Parent-only sessions – Sometimes the most impactful change comes when parents work on their own triggers, stress, or parenting approaches—without the child present. This can also support healthier co-parenting in blended or separated families.

• Flexible combinations over time – Therapy may begin with one focus (like helping a struggling teen), but expand to include parent support or sibling sessions as the situation evolves.

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Whatever the structure, the goal is the same: a stronger, more connected family system where everyone feels supported.