Family psychotherapy (also known as family therapy) is a form of psychological treatment in which a licensed mental health professional works with two or more family members to address relational, emotional, or behavioral concerns within the family system. The goal is to improve communication, strengthen family functioning, resolve conflicts, and support individual and collective well-being.

Family therapy views problems not solely as residing within an individual, but as emerging from patterns of interaction within the family. Sessions focus on identifying dysfunctional dynamics, promoting healthy boundaries, and developing collaborative problem-solving and communication strategies.

Common clinical goals include:

• Improving communication and conflict resolution

• Supporting family members through a crisis or major transition (e.g., divorce, loss, illness)

• Addressing parenting challenges and co-parenting dynamics

• Managing the impact of mental health or behavioral issues in a child or adult

• Enhancing empathy, emotional support, and mutual understanding

• Reducing blame and promoting shared responsibility for change

Family therapy is often used in conjunction with individual treatment, especially in cases involving:

• Child and adolescent behavioral issues

• Substance use disorders

• Mood or anxiety disorders

• Trauma

• Eating disorders

• Family stress or breakdown due to external events

Sessions typically last 50–60 minutes and may include all family members or a subset, depending on the clinical goals. The therapist maintains a systems-oriented perspective, working to reduce blame, increase collaboration, and support each member's role in improving family dynamics.