It depends on if you get a regular counselor or one certified in Marriage and family therapy specifically. It's an entirely different dynamic that occurs within families. One has to analyze patterns of communication--verbal and non verbal (down to how the family arranges itself physically in the room) that have to be considered. It's the equivalent of going to see a podiatrist for a heart problem. While getting my degree in MFT, we had to do several week long residentials. Other branches of the human services were there as well. To expose the different groups to the primary theories that guide practice, there would be branch specific lectures. the other branches would always be shocked at the differences in our approaches. Most branches focus on the individual and individual pathology And are not trained to look at interactions BETWEEN people, and what kind of patterns of behavior each one has brought to the relationship. That's not to say that MFT doesn't acknowledge pathology..obviously there are people with severe mental disorders that affect relationships. It's just not the primary focus. It's a shame that social workers in particular are not trained in the MFT Methods. It would make a big difference. Unfortunately we MFT's are a minority branch of the human services. Lol ok I'm sure that's more than u wanted to know but I like to try to help people understand why "family therapy" often doesn't work.
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