Entering into family therapy is not admitting defeat or failure, but rather a big step forward in creating a healthy family unit.  Think of family counseling as adding tools to your family’s relationship toolbox. You can learn new ways to communicate, to work through problems, to discipline and to relate to one another. 

If your family is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it may be time to consider engaging the services of a qualified professional marriage and family therapist.

• Family members have difficulty functioning in their normal capacity because there is an “energy drain” with routine practices becoming burdensome. 
• Family members tend to have extreme emotional reactions such as excessive anger, fear, sadness, or depression.
• Communication becomes difficult and the “silent treatment” is becoming the norm.
• Members of the family are becoming withdrawn or spending time in seclusion.
• There are signs of violence, physical interaction beyond “horseplay” or the threat of violence to oneself or other family members. 
• Coping with stresses have become unbearable and there is a extreme sense of helplessness with little hope for a healthy recovery.
• Children in your family are becoming disruptive at home/school, with evidence of falling grades, misbehavior or outbursts.
• Coping skills in response to a family trauma such as a death or a separation/divorce are lost.
• There is evidence of substance abuse or a member is struggling with an eating disorder.