Problems at home can do a great deal of harm outside of the home. Whether it’s trouble with kids, trouble with parents, or both, issues at home can corrupt what is supposed to be a haven from the outside world and the public. Family isn’t always easy, and if one were to be completely honest here, it can be incredibly challenging if not downright frustrating.
If any of this is sounding familiar, it may be worth considering a family therapy program. A family therapy program is a form of mental health treatment that seeks to explore and understand issues that exist within the family. During treatment, families will explore how their dynamics affect one another in a safe environment that is sheltered from shouting and hot tempers. During treatment, families will partake in a range of family therapy activities designed to help identify and address the issues affecting them most.
Using Family Therapy Activities to Improve Communication
Studies have found that using family therapy activities to improve communication is a great way to help families overcome their issues. This is because poor communication is often at the root of family dysfunction. There’s a wide range of ways a family might have issues with communication. It’s often the case that some family members won’t communicate their true feelings for fear of retaliation from the family. Family therapy activities and games are designed to exclude harsh retaliation and condemnation so that family members can feel safe and express themselves honestly. Family therapy activities can help with:
- Communication issues
- Conflict
- Death
- Mental illness within the family
- Behavior problems
- Issues at work or school
- Living with a family member with special needs
- Infidelity
- Sibling tension
- Financial issues
- Addiction and substance abuse
Using family therapy activities to improve communication can help families uncover their problems while simultaneously working on the skills needed to solve them.
3 Family Therapy Activities and Games
While family therapy is serious business, that doesn’t mean that it can’t include a good bit of fun. Family therapy encourages family members to feel safe in expressing their feelings, and this can naturally get very deep and emotional. However, part of learning how to live together involves learning how to have fun together. With that said, here are three family therapy activities and games designed to improve family dynamics:
1. Feelings Hot Potato
Starting with a classic, there is feelings hot potato (a stress ball may be used as a substitute for a scorching spud). This game is a mixture of musical chairs and hot potato and sees family members pass around a ball while music is playing. At random times, the music will be shut off. At that point, whoever is holding the potato must share a thought or memory relating to the family. This game is not only fun and has the potential to tap into deep emotions, but it may also reveal who in the family is most averse to sharing their feelings.
2. Emotions Ball
This game is designed to help family members express and communicate their emotions to one another while also practicing listening skills. Using a beach ball, family members will write an emotion or feeling on the various sections of the ball. The family will then toss it from one person to another. When the ball is caught, the catcher’s right hand will land on one of the emotions written down. The catcher must then describe a time when they felt that particular emotion with the family.
3. Mirroring Activity
Because 90% of communication is non-verbal, it’s important to be able to recognize the subtle gestures of family members. In this activity, family members will pair up and try to mirror their partners’ movements as closely as possible without touching them. This exercise helps family members become better acquainted with each other’s emotional reactions and non-verbal communication gestures.
Finding Quality Family Therapy at Promises-5 Palms
Choosing family therapy can be an incredibly difficult choice, but it demonstrates a deep desire to strengthen family bonds while also improving communication. At Promises-5 Palms, we offer a variety of family therapy-based services conducted by a dedicated staff of passionate professionals. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 1.844.675.1022.
