How impactful can a family therapist be to a family? How difficult is it trying to fulfill the needs of all family members?

Deviana,

Mental-Health Counseling programs are what you should look into for graduate programs after you have a bachelor's degree. You will learn and implement theories that will allow you to better understand yourself and your clients. Personal aspects are always different for each therapist, but there are many benefits that come from being a counselor. Counseling is not about "fixing" people or having people follow your directions, it is a collaborative process and can be influential on family members involved with group therapy when the right theories and interventions are modified and used to fit the people and situation. I would suggest setting up a information interview with a family therapist near you to learn more about the occupation and daily routine!

I think family therapy is necessary when one of the children is in therapy. You can help that child/adolescent with their issues, but you need change in the family as well for all to be healthier and functioning at a higher level. You are not trying to fulfill all the needs of each individual family member in family therapy. Your "patient" is the family as a whole. You are working to improve communications, resolve issues, etc. and are looking to see what is best for the whole family. I agree with the previous post. Research a family therapist in your area, contact that person and explain you are a student interested in the field and see if you can meet with them to discuss what the training is like, daily work day is like, where or what kind of locations are there are job opportunities, etc. Good luck!