How Family Counseling Works Healing Through Mental Health Expertise

Mental health experts advocate for counseling as a means to mend generational trauma within Black families. Therapists highlight the significance of family therapy to tackle these intricacies inherent in familial relationships.“Family counseling is crucial for role definition,” stated Donald Harris, a mental health therapist at the DHR Institute of Mental Health and a founder of the Manhood Project. “This is vital for the Black community, as it fosters boundary-setting and creates balance. It may not be flawless, yet when roles and boundaries are clear, familial interactions can improve significantly.”Professionals like Harris and Dr. Tiara Fennell emphasize that individuals within a family experience similar situations, but each unique processing arises from age and understanding. The absence of parental figures complicates dynamics, compelling others to adopt unexpected roles.Fennell, director of the Center of Healthy Families at the University of Maryland, underlines the necessity for openness in discussions about personal experiences for communal positivity. While younger generations are more receptive to emotional discourse, they often lack strategies for coping with difficulties. Harris points out a disconnect with spiritual roots in Black culture, acknowledging that connecting with elders is essential for healing.