Therapy & treatment
Family Therapy
Family therapy works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict and support a member facing mental health challenges. Learn how it works and when it’s used.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves family members working together with a therapist. Rather than treating one person in isolation, it looks at how relationships, communication and roles within the family affect everyone’s well-being.
When it’s used
- Ongoing conflict or communication problems
- Major changes such as divorce, blended families, illness or loss
- Supporting a child or teen with a mental health condition
- As part of treatment for eating disorders and substance use in young people
Approaches
Approaches include structural, strategic, systemic and family-based treatment (FBT). FBT — sometimes called the Maudsley approach — engages parents in supporting a young person’s recovery from an eating disorder.
What to expect
Sessions typically involve two or more family members and focus on understanding patterns, improving communication and building problem-solving skills. The number of sessions varies with the family’s goals.
Related therapy approaches
Find care
Find the right support
Compare types of care — from online therapy to psychiatry — and learn what to consider before choosing a provider.
Explore care optionsWhen to seek professional help
Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.
Explore care optionsFrequently asked questions
Does every family member have to attend?
References
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About this article
Written by
ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team
Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.
- First published
- September 8, 2026
- Last updated
- September 21, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending