Family therapy is a common option for people in substance treatment programs. As its name implies, this therapy focuses on issues affecting you and your family. By resolving these issues, you may be able to increase your chances of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. A family therapy program can include a broad range of therapeutic activities.
Contact 888.231.1281 to learn more about the family therapy program at Northpoint Colorado.
Top Activities for Family Therapy
To foster a stronger bond and cultivate healthier relationships within the family, it’s crucial to engage in regular family activities. These activities, designed with purpose, can be therapeutic, enabling all members to better understand each other, communicate more effectively, and resolve any underlying issues. Here are some top family therapy activities that can significantly contribute to building stronger relationships:
1. Family Questioning as a Therapy Activity
Family therapy often starts with an activity called family questioning. During this activity, you answer questions about yourself. You also guess how your siblings, parents, etc., will answer those same questions. Family questioning can help you:
- Develop better family rapport
- Identify shared family values
It can also help you spot areas of potential conflict or concern.
2. Family Therapy Activities for Relationship Building – Colored Candy
Colored Candy is another common ice-breaking activity in family therapy. In this activity, you and your family split a package of colored candies between you. You then assign a question to every color in the package. Each person must provide as many honest answers to that question as they have candies of that color.
3. Family Therapy Activities – The Emotions Ball
In this activity, various emotions are written down on a beach ball. Common examples of these emotions include:
- Anger
- Joy
- Sadness
- Loneliness
Your family then takes turns throwing the ball to each other. When it’s your turn, you describe the last time you experienced the emotion facing you on the ball’s surface.
4. Mirroring as a Family Therapy Activity
In mirroring, two family members stand across from each other. One member performs various physical actions, while the second attempts to mimic or mirror those actions. The process then repeats with other family members. The goal is to increase your awareness of each other’s emotions and typical gestures.
5. Family Therapy Activities for Relationship Building – The Feelings Walk
This activity resembles musical chairs. However, a feeling-related word is affixed to each chair. When the music stops playing, you sit in the chair in front of you. You then share something about yourself that relates to the word on the chair.
6. Family Therapy Activities – The Miracle Question
In this activity, each family member pretends that a miracle has happened. This miracle allows each of you to change your life for the better. You then describe what that change would be. Everyone learns more about each other’s hopes and aspirations in this activity.
7. The Magic Key as a Family Therapy Activity
This family therapy activity is especially well-suited for kids. Each member imagines that they have a key that gives them access to something that would make them happy. However, it must be something that you can’t buy with money. You then share this key to happiness with other family members.
8. Activities for Family Therapy – The Family Gift
This activity requires your family to come up with a gift that every member would like to receive. You must work together and reach an agreement regarding this gift. The process allows your therapist to examine how your family unit functions.
9. The Genogram
A genogram is similar to a family tree. However, it goes beyond mapping primary bloodlines. In addition, it contains complex emotional relationships for each family member.
10. Family Therapy – Stand Up, Sit Down
You begin this activity by standing up. A family member then makes a statement. If this statement applies to you, you sit down. The result is a non-confrontational method of communication.
Benefits of Family Therapy Activities
Engaging in family therapy activities presents advantages that extend beyond the therapy sessions themselves. These benefits not only mend the damaged bonds but also foster an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect.
- They promote open and effective communication among family members, enabling them to articulate thoughts and feelings more clearly.
- They help in identifying and addressing the root cause of conflicts, fostering harmony within the family.
- These activities can enhance emotional bonding and intimacy, creating an environment conducive for emotional healing.
- They offer a platform for family members to express their aspirations, fears, and concerns, fostering a better understanding of each other’s perspectives.
- They can improve problem-solving skills within the family, helping to resolve future conflicts more constructively.
Family therapy activities play a pivotal role in the journey towards healthier dynamics and stronger relationships. By consistently practicing these activities, families can transform their interactions, fostering a space of empathy, respect, and mutual understanding.
Learn More About Family Therapy Activities at Northpoint Colorado
Talk to the professionals at Northpoint Colorado for more information on typical family therapy activities. You can call us today at 888.231.1281. You can also reach us through our online form.