Weakest Link

As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

It is also true that a family is only as strong as its weakest dyad. A dyad is a relationship between two people. So a family of four has six dyads. Mom to and from Dad (1), Dad to and from each kid (2), Mom to and from each kid (2) and of course older kid to and from younger kid (2). So you can see the more members of the family the larger the number of dyads.

When all of the dyads are healthy, the family is highly likely to be healthy overall. When even one link is not healthy it can serve to weaken the whole family. Think about it, can you recall a family where two siblings did not get along and it colored the dynamics in the rest of the family? Some members of the family changing their behavior to appease one or both of the two that are not getting along. Or families that look like the one in the picture about and each parent has a favorite child?

Family counseling can help identify the weak dyads, the possible reasons the dyads are weak, and assist the entire family in making the family system (the chain) strong again. Keeping balance in the family is not easy. We can work with you to help strengthen the dyads that will make your family strong.

Rosemary Behrens, Ph.D. Family Counselor