Therapy is essential for mental health and addiction recovery. While individual therapy can help clients understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, group therapy can improve relationships and communication. For people in the LGBTQ community, inclusive group therapy can be deeply healing and necessary for sobriety. Unfortunately, for many, family therapy can be challenging. However, when all family members are willing to work together, it can help change dynamics and heal relationships. Family therapy programs provide support to help loved ones recover together.
If you or someone you love in the LGBTQ community is looking for an inclusive family therapy program in California, La Fuente can help. Our Los Angeles clinic provides family and group therapy in beautiful Southern California. Learn more about our family therapy programs at 888.903.9898 and start healing together today.
How Does Family Therapy for Recovery Work?
Family therapy is what it sounds like: recovery-focused therapy for loved ones. Because addiction affects everyone in a person’s life, family therapy can be an essential tool for changing relationship dynamics, ending toxic relationships, and understanding the effects of addiction and mental health disorders. Many people in the LGBTQ community struggle with family relationships, which often affect addiction and recovery. When loved ones are ready to work together, family therapy can help families:
- Improve communication skills
- Teach active listening
- Establish healthy boundaries
- Improve problem-solving skills
- Recognize family dynamics
- Easily adapt to change
- Proactively address dysfunction
- Coping tools
- Understand the life experiences of others
- Understanding and changing behavior patterns
- Learn psychodynamic techniques for emotional insight
With a range of techniques, weekly family therapy sessions can serve traditional and non-traditional families struggling with addiction recovery.
What Is Group Therapy For Addiction Recovery?
Like family therapy, group therapy brings people together to support therapeutic changes. Most times, group therapy can help people feel less alone in their addiction and understand that their lived experiences may not differ from those around them.
Group therapy is especially helpful for those looking for a local sober community. Because addiction disproportionately affects the LGBTQ community, sober group therapy can be essential for building a new community. It can also help those who lack family support. Like individual and family therapy, group therapy uses many techniques to help people recognize behavioral patterns, thought patterns, and belief systems, and work toward personal change.
Family Therapy Vs. Group Therapy: Do I Need Both?
Family and group therapy are both very supportive tools for addiction recovery. Because every addiction experience is unique, family therapy may not be right for everyone at every stage of recovery. It might be time to consider family therapy if:
- Members of your family are willing to change
- Your family has experienced collective stress or trauma
- Your family struggles to express or discuss emotions
- You need better boundaries at home
- You’re ready to support the mental health of loved ones
- You want to improve your listening and communication skills.
If your family isn’t ready to explore change and work together, now may not be the time for family therapy. Group therapy, however, can be an affordable tool at every stage of recovery. Working with multiple groups through 12-step programs, alumni programs, and traditional group therapy can help clients build community and stay accountable no matter what life throws their way.
Start A Family Therapy Program in California
If you’re still unsure how family therapy vs. group therapy compares, our team can help. At La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, we provide a wide range of treatment options for addiction and mental health. Our dual diagnosis LGBTQ recovery center works to help the community heal together. With residential, outpatient, and sober living programs, we’re here to help you and your loved ones thrive.
On the leading edge of medical and psychiatric treatments, La Fuente is a leader in safe and inclusive treatment for the LGBTQ community. Call us now at 888.903.9898 to learn more about the benefits of family vs. group therapy and start treatment today.
