Demystifying Family Therapy by Ana Balthazar, MFT

Family Service of Glencoe has proudly served individuals, couples, and families across the North Shore for over 100 years. While our services have evolved over time, it wasn’t until almost the 1960s that we shifted our focus toward individual, marital, group, and family counseling. Despite these changes, the need for mental health support has always remained constant, and family therapy, in particular, has proven to improve communication, functioning, and overall well-being of the entire family system; however, there continues to be a stigma surrounding therapy and what it means to seek counseling. One of our goals at Family Service of Glencoe is to help break down this stigma, one person at a time, through awareness and open conversation.

A significant barrier to seeking therapy is the shame many people feel, often rooted in the misconception that needing mental health support is a sign of weakness. One way to address this is by normalizing therapy as a tool for growth. Many people mistakenly believe that therapy is only for those in crisis, when in reality, therapy is beneficial for anyone seeking personal development, stress management, improved relationships, or general well-being. If we talk more openly about the benefits of therapy, it will become more widely recognized as a normal, healthy practice for maintaining mental health. A supervisor once shared with me that “therapy is simply a space where you can learn more about yourself and your relationships.” Adopting this mindset can go a long way in reducing stigma and encouraging more people to seek support.

Furthermore, it’s important to emphasize that therapy is not just for those facing “major problems.” It can be a valuable space for addressing everyday challenges, improving communication, and enhancing the overall dynamics of families and couples. It’s also essential to recognize that therapy is a gradual process: real change takes time. The work should be collaborative, with the therapist and client building a strong, trusting relationship that fosters exploration of thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors. Significant shifts may not be immediately visible, and that’s okay! This process itself is all part of the journey.

The next step is defining what the therapeutic space looks like. A common misconception is that people might think that they will be judged or told what to do, when in reality the therapist’s role is to listen, offer perspective, assist client exploration of their emotions, and most importantly, provide a non-judgmental space where this can be possible. When it comes to family or couples therapy, a concern that might arise is that the therapist will “side” with the other person. This should not happen, and the therapist is there to act as a neutral party. Rather, we are there to empower the clients and allow them to feel comfortable voicing their needs as well as fostering empathy between the clients.

Ultimately, we must shift the narrative around therapy from being a sign of weakness or something only necessary in times of crisis to recognizing it for what it truly is: a space for self-discovery, personal growth, and the improvement of relationships. Reducing stigma and reframing therapy as a positive, empowering experience will make it more accessible and less intimidating. Overall, therapy is a vital component of self-care and personal development, available to anyone ready to embark on the journey of understanding themselves and their relationships more deeply.