A Transformative Experience
We absolutely believe in the family being a part of this process. We want you to know we are with you. To start this journey together, we highly encourage family therapy. We have an incredible Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who will work with you on a weekly basis, supporting you throughout your own work. Our therapist will especially be there for you during both the highs and lows of treatment. Some sessions will be with your family member and some won’t. We do this for a few reasons:
First: We want you to have your own space and time to process what is happening. This is a terribly confusing and difficult time. We want to be there for you, too. Many times, family members need to be able to speak freely, experiencing their truth in the moment.
Second: We want to build a relationship with your family member who is in treatment. This is vital. We need to gain his trust. If he believes we will automatically tell you everything, he will not feel safe with us, which demolishes the therapeutic alliance.
Third: People who have been using substances aren’t known for their honesty nor are they always forthcoming with information. Many times, our clients do not even mean to omit information. This is one of the items we will need your help with. We don’t want to waste any more time and full transparency (by both parties) is the only way this will work.
Fourth: We ask for your full support. We also ask you to fully commit to the process, which we know will be supremely difficult at times. The hardest part for parents is accepting what is best for their son, yet feeling such suggestions are counterintuitive to what their beliefs of being a “good parent” entails. You, dear parent, have much power, yet it’s the genius of your son making you feel as though you have none.
We ask for your participation in weekly family therapy sessions. This can be done with our Family Therapist. You will also be hearing from your son’s Primary Therapist on a weekly basis and receive regular updates from our your son’s case manager. One thing we promise is that we will not leave you in the dark.
None of this is mandatory, however. If you need to take a step back and focus on yourself, we understand and highly encourage that. Please, though, take all the suggestions of your consultant and those of us at Balance House, the first one being to take care of yourself.
There will be a time where we will ask you to come to our facility for a family intensive. Please don’t let the word “intensive” scare you. All it means is YOU will be our focus for a full day. You will have an opportunity to meet with a therapist, do some family therapy, have meals together, learn a few things, and have some fun! We also want your family member to spend a day with you without us if appropriate.
The family intensives will happen every four to six weeks, but we will ask that you wait to come after your family member has been with us for at least 30 days. It is also important for you to know that during these intensives, you will be participating with no more than four other families. We want this to feel personal and intimate. Also, we do not want to put more financial burden on you, as we cannot imagine what a strain this has put on your family. If visits during these intensives are not doable, we can do a family intensive via video conferencing, which can be just as powerful.
Worried about Someone’s Drinking or Drug Use? Call Now.
You are not alone. We’re standing by to help.Call (801) 851-5260 to speak with our team of accredited addiction professionals.