Family Therapy & Couples Therapy in Austin, Texas
As humans, we are an interdependent species, meaning that we rely on one another to meet our most basic physical and emotional needs, beginning in infancy. The patterns we learn and the messages we receive in childhood form our worldview and influence our future relationships in adulthood. Both family therapy and couples therapy allow for individuals to understand the origins of their beliefs about relationships, the roles they assume, and patterns that may contribute to issues in communication and connection.
What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy provides the opportunity to improve communication and understanding within interpersonal relationships. We would be honored to work beside you to support you while strengthening your intimate and family relationships.
When we form an intimate bond with another person, differences in our distinct personal histories can lead to miscommunication, arguments, and misunderstandings which affect the health of the relationship. Even the healthiest of relationships face challenges. That’s where couples therapy comes in! With the guidance of a couples therapist in Austin, TX, you and your partner can work to understand each other’s unique experiences, identify triggers that lead to insecurities and misunderstandings, and work to develop helpful communication strategies to foster a secure and safe relationship.
Common topics addressed in couples therapy include the following:
Affairs and infidelity
Conflict resolution
Connection
Maintenance
Identifying feelings
Communication skills
Attachment
Exploring the past
Beliefs, values, and goals
Finances
Family relations and children
External stressors (work, etc.)
Understanding needs and feelings of one another
What are the benefits of couples therapy?
Couples therapy can be beneficial in any stage of a relationship ranging from premarital counseling to life transitions after many years together. In couples therapy at Autonomy Therapy, you and your partner may work to understand each other’s values, explore communication styles, work towards conflict resolution, and reinvigorate your connection.
What is Family Therapy?
What makes family therapy distinct from individual therapy is that the therapist views the whole family unit as the client. There’s not one person who is the “problem” - the whole family system works as a team, using a multisystemic therapy approach, to uncover the patterns and roles within the family that keep them feeling stuck.
Each member has an equal voice within the family, and your therapist will work to make sure everyone is heard, allowing the family to understand and acknowledge varied perspectives within the family, leading to a stronger sense of security and acceptance. When family members do not feel safe expressing their feelings and needs, it can create distance and snowball into built-up resentment and a dysfunctional environment. A strong commitment to therapy from each member will foster a safe and secure environment to work towards more helpful communication and understanding of one another.
Common issues in family therapy include the following:
Blended families
Parenting
Divorce and separation
Substance abuse and addiction
Eating disorders
Boundaries
Communication
Learning acceptance of one another’s individual experiences
Gaining tools to resolve conflict in a helpful way
Increased trust, closeness, honesty, and security
Decreased avoidance or detachment
A safe space to explore difficult topics and to be vulnerable with one another
Understanding each other’s beliefs, values, goals, needs, and desires
What are the benefits of family counseling?
A dedicated space to foster connection
A family therapist can point out family dynamics and facilitate discussion of family issues from each member’s perspective
Improving communication by getting a clearer understanding of family roles and dynamics
Problem-solve as a team with the assistance of a trained professional
Exploring cycles and sequences that keep the family unit stuck and coming up with alternatives
Working with a couples therapist may provide the following benefits:
Having someone to act as a neutral mediator, allowing couples to address multiple perspectives that may not always be evident
Developing effective communication skills
Learning how to express one’s needs confidently and without anger in order to avoid resentment
Exploring the roots of conflict and insecurities
Identifying one another’s triggers and insecurities to glean a better understanding of each other’s behaviors
Finances
Grief and loss
Concerns with children and adolescents
Parent and child conflict
Conflict around culture, religion, and lifestyle
Sibling conflict
Caregiver stress
Autonomy Therapy’s Approaches to Family Therapy & Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The Gottman Method
Structural Family Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Integrated Family Systems
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS Therapy)
Neuroaffective Relational Model
Attachment-Based
Begin Family Therapy & Couples Therapy in Austin, TX
At Autonomy Therapy, our family therapists and couples therapists are here to create a non-judgmental, caring environment for you, your partner, and your family. We value a holistic, systemic, and collaborative approach to healing and would love to support enhanced connection and communication in your most intimate, essential relationships. Let one of our highly-trained family therapists or couples therapist help today:
Fill out a CONSULTATION FORM to describe a little about you!
Check out our team of family and couples therapists
Find healing in your most intimate relationships again!
Interested in learning more? Read our blog!
