Family Therapy with Adolescents and Young Adults
When teens and young adults are struggling, the effects are felt throughout the family. Believing they are disconnected, older children may face anxiety, depression or trauma turning to self-harm, suicidal thinking, eating disorders, substance use, and isolation, turning away from their family who are left uncertain of how to help and fearful of making things worse. Sometimes children have been successful early on in their life but are struggling to take on the challenges of adulthood, relying on their parents, unable to engage in school or work, and lacking in direction for their lives. Enter Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), a brief evidenced-based model shown to quickly address relationship ruptures in the family systems, rebuilding secure and flexible attachments, and improving the symptoms of the teen or young adult as well as the quality of family relationships. ABFT can be helpful for addressing a variety of problems and challenges within families, particularly those related to emotional bonds and relationships. Here are some issues that ABFT can be beneficial for:
Parent-Teen Conflict:
ABFT is often used to address conflicts between parents and teenagers as well as young adults. It helps both parents and adolescents understand each other's needs and emotions, improving communication and reducing tension.
Depression and Anxiety:
ABFT is often used to address conflicts between parents and teenagers as well as young adults. It helps both parents and adolescents understand each other's needs and emotions, improving communication and reducing tension.
Substance Abuse:
ABFT can help family members work together to support the individual seeking recovery and address underlying emotional issues that may contribute to substance abuse.
Trauma and PTSD:
ABFT can be used to address the impact of trauma on family relationships, helping family members understand and support each other in coping with the effects of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Eating Disorders:
When a family member is struggling with an eating disorder, ABFT can help the family create a supportive environment for recovery. It can also address any underlying emotional issues that may contribute to the eating disorder.
Grief and Loss:
Families dealing with the loss of a loved one can benefit from ABFT to navigate the grieving process together and provide emotional support during a difficult time.
