Medical Family Therapy (Med FT)
Patients and families, who are in the crisis of an illness, often feel lost in the maze of the medical system during times when they feel the most vulnerable. Medical family therapy (Med FT) is the application of systems theory in the form of a bio-psycho-social-spiritual systems approach to conducting psychotherapy with patients and their families who experience physical health problems, including illness, trauma, or disability. At Twin Cities Mental Health & Couples Center, we are experienced in helping to address the systemic interactions among patients, their families, doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other allied healthcare workers. Our treatment plan(s) may include enhancing the day-to-day functioning of both the patient and their family, improving their ability to cope with symptoms (both chronic and acute), improving communication with healthcare providers, developing acceptance of incurable health problems, and increasing the ability to make necessary lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise regimens.
Close attention is paid to:
- Medical illness
- The connection between mind and body. No biological problems without psychosocial implications and psychosocial problems without biological implications.
- The role that illness plays in the emotional life of the patient.
- The interpersonal dynamics of the family.
- Physical conditions that impact feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of the ill person and his/her family.
- People with chronic conditions that frequently experience multiple bio-psycho-social issues.
Medical Conditions:
- Dementia (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lowy Body Dementia, Cognitive Impairment)
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Asthma
- Cancer (Breast, Prostate, Terminal)
- Kidney Transplant
- Thyroid Disease
- Lupus
- Stroke