Questions to Ask in Family Therapy
Thoughtful questions to ask during family therapy sessions that promote healing, understanding, and stronger family connections.
1What brought us to family therapy and what do we hope to achieve?
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What brought us to family therapy and what do we hope to achieve?
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Why this works
Establishes shared goals and helps everyone understand the purpose of therapy while creating a foundation for the work ahead.
2How do we currently communicate with each other?
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How do we currently communicate with each other?
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Why this works
Reveals communication patterns and helps identify areas for improvement while showing awareness of current dynamics.
3What are the biggest challenges we face as a family?
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What are the biggest challenges we face as a family?
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Why this works
Identifies key issues that need attention while allowing everyone to voice their concerns and perspectives.
4What do we appreciate about each other?
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What do we appreciate about each other?
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Why this works
Builds positive connections and reminds everyone of the strengths and love that exist within the family.
5How do we handle conflict and disagreements?
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How do we handle conflict and disagreements?
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Why this works
Reveals current conflict resolution strategies and helps identify healthier approaches to managing differences.
6What are our family values and how do we live them out?
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What are our family values and how do we live them out?
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Why this works
Establishes shared principles and helps align family actions with stated values while creating a foundation for decision-making.
7How do we support each other during difficult times?
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How do we support each other during difficult times?
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Why this works
Reveals current support systems and helps identify ways to strengthen family bonds during challenging periods.
8What boundaries do we need to establish or respect?
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What boundaries do we need to establish or respect?
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Why this works
Helps create healthy boundaries and respect for individual needs while maintaining family connections.
9How do we make decisions as a family?
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How do we make decisions as a family?
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Why this works
Reveals decision-making processes and helps identify ways to include everyone's input while maintaining family harmony.
10What traditions or rituals are important to us?
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What traditions or rituals are important to us?
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Why this works
Identifies meaningful family practices and helps strengthen connections through shared experiences and values.
11How do we handle stress and pressure as a family?
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How do we handle stress and pressure as a family?
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Why this works
Reveals coping strategies and helps identify ways to support each other during stressful times.
12What are our individual needs and how can we support them?
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What are our individual needs and how can we support them?
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Why this works
Helps each family member feel heard and valued while creating opportunities for mutual support and understanding.
13How do we celebrate successes and achievements?
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How do we celebrate successes and achievements?
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Why this works
Reveals how the family acknowledges positive moments and helps strengthen connections through shared joy.
14What are our expectations of each other?
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What are our expectations of each other?
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Why this works
Clarifies expectations and helps identify unrealistic or unspoken assumptions that may be causing tension.
15How do we handle change and transitions?
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How do we handle change and transitions?
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Why this works
Reveals the family's approach to change and helps identify strategies for navigating transitions together.
16What are our individual strengths and how do we use them for the family?
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What are our individual strengths and how do we use them for the family?
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Why this works
Identifies each person's unique contributions and helps create a sense of value and purpose within the family.
17How do we handle mistakes and failures?
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How do we handle mistakes and failures?
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Why this works
Reveals the family's approach to learning and growth while helping create a safe environment for making mistakes.
18What are our hopes and dreams for the future?
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What are our hopes and dreams for the future?
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Why this works
Creates shared vision and helps align family goals while providing motivation for positive change.
19How do we maintain our individual identities while being part of the family?
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How do we maintain our individual identities while being part of the family?
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Why this works
Balances individual needs with family connections while helping each person feel valued for who they are.
20What do we need to forgive or let go of to move forward?
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What do we need to forgive or let go of to move forward?
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Why this works
Addresses past hurts and helps create opportunities for healing and moving forward as a family.
Best Practices for Family Therapy
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Create a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment
Ensure everyone feels heard and respected. Avoid blame and focus on understanding and healing rather than assigning fault.
Listen Actively and Show Empathy
Pay attention to each person's perspective and show understanding for their feelings and experiences, even when you disagree.
Focus on Solutions and Positive Change
While acknowledging problems, focus on what can be improved and how the family can work together to create positive change.
Question Sequences
The Foundation Building
The Communication Focus
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Problems
While addressing issues is important, also focus on strengths, positive moments, and what's working well in the family.
Avoid Blame and Criticism
Focus on understanding and healing rather than assigning fault. Blame creates defensiveness and hinders progress.
Don't Expect Immediate Results
Family therapy is a process that takes time. Be patient and committed to the work, even when progress seems slow.