Informed counseling understands the long-term effects of a dysfunctional family. Effective therapists know that most adult children appear resilient or complex but operate from a basic feeling of being defective. Through experience, the counselor knows that adult children develop basic survival skills in childhood that do not work well for adult life.
ACA is not allied with any form, discipline, or technique of therapy. However, we make the distinction between ACA informed counseling and general counseling that is without an ACA focus.
Many adult children operate from a basic feeling of being defective
Many counselors have taken the time to
understand our program
Some newcomers arrive at ACA through a therapist. Some adult children attend meetings before seeking counseling. Many counselors have taken the time to understand our program, and it shows in their work with clients. A few therapists have benefited from ACA recovery themselves on a personal level.
ACA is unique in the fact that our fellowship encourages informed counseling along with the Twelve Step work, meeting attendance, and sponsorship.
Fellowship Text pages 450-464 provides additional information on utilizing Therapy and Counselors together with working an ACA program.