What is Family Therapy?

Family Therapy helps people in a close relationship help each other.

Therapy helps family members, couples and others who care about each other to explore & express difficult thoughts and feelings in new safe ways, to understand each other’s experiences, views & needs. Together we work to identify & build on your existing strengths and develop new ways of relating to each other and creating the changes that you choose within your life.

Individuals may find Family Therapy helpful, as an opportunity to reflect on important relationships and find new meaningful ways forward.

Common reasons families might come to therapy

Our family is a system, and just like any other system, sometimes things breakdown, stop working like they used to, get clunky or grind to a halt. When we live within the system, it can be difficult to notice what might be contributing to the difficulty, and it can be even harder to see what might be the way forward.

The more common reasons include:

• Family members having difficulty functioning in their usual way. Things that used to be routine and normal are now burdensome?

• Family members having extreme emotional reactions. E.g. excessive anger, fear, sadness, depression, or other emotional reactions?

• Significant breakdown in communication between family members. It is harder to communicate than usual, perhaps the "silent treatment" or arguments has become common.

• Family members are withdrawing from family life. Is there a new pattern of one or more family members going into seclusion?

• There is violence or the threat of violence to oneself or other family members. Is there behavior that would be considered "assault" if it weren't between family members?

• Family members expressing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

• There have been changes in the children's behavior at home or school. School attendance problems or disruptive behavior at school has arisen. Does one of the children seem out of control at home?

• Worries about your child’s use of video games.

• The family has had a traumatic experience and members are having a hard time coping. Death, divorce, separation, or an affair often creates difficulties in family systems.

• Family members having substance abuse or misuse problems.

• Family members self-harming.
  

What to expect with Family Therapy?

Just as your family is unique, together we will develop a unique way of understanding your family & your goals. Then we will develop sustainable and practical ways to move forward to create the changes that you choose.

Firstly we will start with a brief consult over the phone to identify what it is that you might like to see working differently in your family. I will ask you some questions and we will then decide upon the next step. This might include meeting with the parent/s, or a specific member of the family on the first occasion. During this first session and follow up consultation, we will decide together what might be the next step in our process together.

During our sessions we will work respectfully and compassionately with each other, ensuring that each family member has a voice and feels heard. Together we will create the understanding & change that meets your unique needs.