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When One Hurts, Everyone Hurts: How Family Therapy Supports Individuals Too

A happy family in their home.

You may think therapy is something you do alone. But when one person in a family struggles, everyone feels the ripple.


Family therapy isn’t only for “family problems.”


Sometimes, supporting an individual means bringing the family into the process.


When Individual Struggles Spill Over


Picture this: A parent is living with chronic migraines. They miss family dinners, stay in bed through weekends, and snap easily when the pain spikes. Everyone tiptoes around them, worried about making things worse.


Or maybe your teenager struggles with anxiety. They avoid school, withdraw from friends, and lash out at siblings. Suddenly, every routine feels like walking through quicksand.

In both cases, the challenge belongs to one person but the impact belongs to everyone. That’s where family therapy with an experienced mental health therapist in Prince George BC comes in.


What Family Therapy Brings to the Table


Individual therapy helps someone explore their thoughts, emotions, and coping tools. But family therapy zooms out:


  • It gives space for spouses, children, or parents to understand what’s happening.

  • It addresses unspoken fears (“Am I making it worse?”).

  • It helps families learn how to support without smothering.


At HML Wellness Solutions, our team offers both. You or your loved one can meet with a therapist specializing in anxiety and depression, while also having family sessions where everyone learns how to cope together.


A happy family on a video call.

How Therapy Supports Families Through Individual Struggles


  1. Reduces Misunderstandings: Mental health challenges like depression, PTSD, or anxiety can look different on the outside than they feel on the inside. Family therapy helps translate. For example, a loved one’s “laziness” might actually be depression, or their irritability might stem from PTSD flashbacks.

  2. Creates Healthy Boundaries: Family therapy teaches balance. You’ll learn when to step in, when to step back, and how to set routines that reduce tension.

  3. Strengthens Coping Tools: CBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills aren’t just for the individual. Families can practice them too: calming breathing, grounding exercises, or communication techniques that reduce conflict.


A Real-Life Example


Imagine a mom in Prince George living with PTSD after a car accident. Her teen doesn’t understand why she avoids driving. Her partner feels helpless watching her wake from nightmares. In family therapy, each member can:

  • Share what the experience feels like from their perspective.

  • Learn about PTSD and how it affects daily life.

  • Practice supportive responses that create connection instead of distance.


That’s the difference between a household that feels isolated and one that feels like a team.


When to Consider Family Therapy


Family therapy may be helpful if:

  • Tension at home keeps escalating.

  • One person’s struggles are leading to conflict or confusion.

  • Siblings, parents, or partners feel shut out but still want to help.

  • Stress relief feels impossible to achieve alone.


We provide both in-person counseling services in BC and online counseling services across BC, so your family can join sessions even if you’re spread across locations.


If one person’s challenges are starting to feel like the whole family’s burden, don’t wait until the cracks grow deeper. Family therapy can help you understand, support, and heal together.



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