Health

Consulting a family therapist

How many meetings?

According to Dr Pierrette Déziel, psychologist, many families request a session every two weeks. The average duration of these therapies is of 10 sessions.

How long does a session last?

Therapies always begin with an evaluation during the first meeting that will determine the nature of the problem and the method used to solve the problem. It sometimes brings the psychologist to conclude that the family should contact another type of specialist, such as a social worker, because of the nature of the problem.

When the evaluation confirms the need for a family therapy with the psychologist, sessions usually take place with and without the children. When a family therapy is required because of the problem of a child, I see the child alone at some point, always. This is to hear their point of view, without their parents, but also to identify which part of the problem they are. But the younger the child, the more I see the family as a whole, not as much the child alone, explains Dr. Déziel, specialized in family therapy.

The meetings that include the whole family allow, among other things, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the family, but also to reveal the unspoken and play down the situation.

Of course, we don’t scan the heart and thoughts of a child only through questions and answers. Psychologists use interaction techniques such as drawing – the child draws their family for example – puppets, games, construction with dough, and the therapist asks them to comment these images.

Benefits and keys to success

You now know that you will have to consult, you know how much it will cost and you know what to expect in regard to how the therapist will help you and your family.

But, in fact, what is really in it for you? How will the psychologist help you? According to Dr. Leonard, parents who consult with their child will feel supported and guided by a neutral person. The psychologist also has a knowledge that allows them to give parents the required tools to lead their child to psychological healing. “The psychologist is the person who will change the family mechanism to treat the root of the problem”, she adds.

There are no statistics of the success of different types of therapy, however, they give faster and better results when therapies are taking place with the family, says Dr. Déziel. Everyone can change at the same time and take responsibility because everyone is concerned when there is a problem in a family”.

The secret ingredient of a successful therapy is the relation between the family and the therapist, she says.

Image de Josée Descôteaux

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