02/23/2026
While there are countless metaphors for family therapy, one could be that of a manual wristwatch (you know, not digital, perhaps like the one your grandpa used to wear). In older timepieces like a watch, when one gear gets stuck or broken, all other components struggle to function.
SAMHSA describes it well in its guide on the topic: “Family therapy is based on the idea that a family is a system of different parts. A change in any part of the system will trigger changes in all the other parts.” This article will help explain the goal of family therapy–to help the entire family heal.
The primary goal of family therapy is to help the entire family unit heal. But what does that look like, and how can that be achieved? Learn more about family therapy.