Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

9,385 people sought family therapy help in Massachusetts in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a family can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 76 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.
Azizi Carle

Hear from Azizi Carle, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

View Azizi Carle's profile

What is your go-to approach for family therapy?

In family therapy, my main approach is to guide people in having difficult conversations in a loving and safe manner. I focus on equipping the family with skills to overcome assumptions and automatic thoughts with creativity, openness, and cleverness. I believe that creating positive interactions during therapy sessions is crucial for building new and lasting memories that can help override old, negative ones.

What tools do you teach in family therapy?

In family therapy, I use the following tools:

  • Healthy communication using the communication model
  • Learning about the process of change
  • Asking each family member what they need to strengthen and validate their uniqueness
  • Creating a team concept with the members of the family

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy?

I know clients are making meaningful progress in family therapy when every family member feels heard, utilizes improved communication skills, changes the narrative of their family's story, and feels more intimately connected and safer with family members.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement family therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in family therapy by refining their listening skills, employing validation techniques, and utilizing coping mechanisms to express their thoughts and emotions effectively.

What should someone do to prepare for starting family therapy?

In preparation for their first family therapy session, it's important for individuals to approach the experience with an open mind, ready to absorb new knowledge and willing to apply the techniques learned during therapy with their loved ones. It's crucial to be open and honest about what does or doesn't work from the therapist's suggestions and to actively engage by asking questions about the suggestions that the therapist gave.

Starting Family therapy

What is family therapy?

Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.

How does family therapy work?

Thriveworks family therapists in Boston, MA usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.

What is the most effective family therapy?

The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.

How do I know if my family needs therapy?

This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.

What is included in family therapy?

In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.

What is the success rate of family therapy?

Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.

Is family therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks therapists in Boston, MA offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does family therapy last?

Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Boston therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

Show more
Self-pay costs at Boston
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have two providers - one for Rx and one for counseling. Both are good. You to watch for emails and stage engaged and the help is there! Thank you, Anne
Read more I have two providers - one for Rx and one for counseling. Both are good. You to watch for emails and stage engaged and the help is there! Thank you, Anne
Anne Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I saw counseling and therapy from your remote staff both have been very beneficial to me. Thank you very much.
Read more I saw counseling and therapy from your remote staff both have been very beneficial to me. Thank you very much.
Anne Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks is full of amazing employees. Even the person that answered my first call was incredible, compassionate and sought out the best possible options for my situation. I've been going weekly 3 months and will likely continue for years!
Read more Thriveworks is full of amazing employees. Even the person that answered my first call was incredible, compassionate and sought out the best possible options for my situation. I've been going weekly 3 months and will likely continue for years!
Sonja Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located on Water St. We share a building with The Boston Barbor Exchange, Vaanga Boston, PanIQ Escape Room Boston, and other businesses. We’re just a few blocks away from the waterfront.

Phone number

(617) 882-7447

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

0 photos