Resolving Family Conflict with Family Therapy

A family is composed of different individuals, each with their own unique thoughts, opinions and behaviors. When you are sharing life together, beliefs and personal opinions will clash from time to time. Some conflict is natural, and can be a healthy element of the family system. It is “normal” for the most close-knit families to have struggles and disagreements.

However, disputes among members of the family can sometimes become more serious. Whether the disagreements originate from blaming, avoiding responsibilities or general friction among each other, there are issues that can be longstanding and go unresolved. Family conflict can wreak havoc on your relationships, but it doesn’t have to. Family counseling can help.

The Source of Conflict

It is common for two or more people living together to disagree at some point. When discussions take place in a clearheaded and non-defensive manner, these differences can be a source of new viewpoints that can help both parties learn and grow as individuals. Arguments, however, can cause families to drift apart when egos overtake rational thinking. At this point, small disagreements can turn into heated arguments and unresolved conflict.

Those who peacefully settle their differences may grow closer to each other while learning to consider one another’s feelings and opinions. There are, however, greater conflicts that can remain unresolved for months, even years, leading family members to harbor anger and resentment. This can lead to division between family members causing them to avoid each other or even alienate each other. Perhaps one of the most difficult things about conflict is the idea that everyone HAS to agree.

Learning to agree to disagree and respect each other’s

opinions can be challenging. Counseling is often a wonderful way to process conflict and find common ground.

How Do You Know It’s Time for Family Therapy?

Your family can be a source of security, support, love, and comfort. However, a distressing family dynamic caused by unresolved conflict, can quickly become stressful and overwhelming, even impacting your mental health.

When you resolve family conflict effectively, you can become better equipped to build stronger relationships in the future. When conflict escalates to a point that it is affecting your everyday functioning, it may be the time to do something about it.

Unresolved conflict can result in unnecessary stress for all family members. Warning signs include the following:

  • Avoidance of family members
  • Resentment
  • Significant change in your eating habits or sleeping patterns
  • Frequent feelings of fatigue without any physical explanation
  • Marked weight gain or loss
  • Anxiety and irritability
  • Arguing
  • Consistent headaches or stomachaches, which may indicate an overload of stress
  • Resorting to substance abuse
  • Decline in academic performance

Conflict can have serious consequences for your emotional and physical well-being. If not effectively addressed, unresolved issues can start to consume you and the rest of your household. While life’s struggles will likely be present, counseling can be a healthy and appropriate way to create mutual understanding and harmony.

Resolving Family Conflicts with Counseling

Every household can experience trying moments that may test its foundation. Sometimes you can work through these struggles, however, there may be times when deeper conflicts are best addressed with the assistance of a professional. If all your efforts have not worked to resolve conflict in your family, it is worth a try to seek help.

Seeking counseling allows you to work with a professional who can be neutral and objective while addressing your current issues. Therapy can offer a new perspective. There may be options you have not previously considered. You can benefit from counseling by learning the skills necessary to face a difficult family situation and not feel totally overwhelmed.

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with skilled licensed therapists who can help you and your family move forward together. You aren’t alone. Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) and many more. If you are looking for family counseling in Durham, NC call CCS now to get started!

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.