At Columbus Counseling Group, we often say: that healing might start in the therapy room, but it rarely stays there.
More and more, we’re seeing the ripple effect that happens when therapy includes not just the individual but the people who care about them. Family members, partners, chosen family, close friends. The people in the group text and around the dinner table. The ones asking, “How can I help without making things worse?”
For decades, therapy operated on a bit of a closed-door model. And sure, there’s still a time and place for that kind of privacy and safety. But it’s becoming clearer with research and with lived experience that healing happens more deeply when the people around us understand what we’re navigating.
Here’s what the numbers say:
A large-scale review in Clinical Psychology Review found that treatment outcomes improved significantly when families were involved — particularly for people navigating substance use and mood-related struggles.
Adolescents in family-based therapy for depression had better long-term outcomes than those in individual treatment alone (JAACAP).
And across the board, involving families led to better follow-through, lower rates of hospitalization, and more stable support systems.
This kind of collaboration doesn’t ask families to take over or solve everything. What helps is giving them a framework — something they can rely on when things feel unpredictable or overwhelming.
What this looks like in practice
At Columbus Counseling Group, we work with a wide range of clients — many navigating intense emotional experiences, relationship challenges, or patterns they’re trying to break free from. Therapy offers tools, yes — but when family members understand why someone might be shutting down, lashing out, or struggling to communicate clearly, things tend to shift.
That’s why we run our Family & Friends Foundational Class — a space where people can learn how emotional dysregulation works, how DBT supports recovery, and what it actually looks like to be a steady presence for someone you care about. No clinical background is required — just curiosity and a willingness to show up.
This class is a powerful form of DBT family support, equipping loved ones with the insight and tools needed to walk beside someone in treatment — without walking on eggshells.
We’ve had parents walk away with a totally new lens. Partners finally exhale after months of uncertainty. Siblings say, “I didn’t get it before… but I think I do now.” That’s the kind of shift that comes from understanding, not guessing.
Why it matters now
Over 50 million adults in the U.S. are navigating mental health challenges today (Mental Health America, 2024). That’s a lot of people — and a lot of families — quietly trying to figure things out on their own.
When families have support and context, the guesswork gets smaller. Communication gets clearer. And people feel less like they’re walking a tightrope without a net.
We treat the whole person which means we care about their people, too
At our core, we believe in treating humans, not labels. Everyone brings their own mix of history, identity, challenges, and strengths. And often, they bring a support system that’s trying their best, too.
So we make room for that. We welcome questions. We share what we know. We hold space for the messy, honest, beautiful process of healing in connection. Whether someone is starting DBT therapy in Columbus, Ohio or supporting a loved one through treatment, Columbus Counseling Group is here to help both individuals and their families move forward with understanding.
