Our therapists, who have licenses in marriage and family therapy, use a systems theory approach to counseling. They will make sure that every family member is given a chance to feel heard and supported so that the entire family can find a way forward.
That said, it is not necessary for every session to include the entire family. One part of therapy may involve your therapist working with a smaller group or even an individual. For example, if the parents have a disagreement about how to resolve a situation, your therapist may suggest meeting with each parent separately. They may take a similar approach with a teenager who is struggling in order to best understand the child’s point-of-view and to build trust with them.