Families in all Forms
What is a family? The answer is whoever you consider to be included in your family. In family therapy when I speak initially to the enquirer I ask, “Who would it be useful for you to bring to the first appointment?” There is sometimes quite a complicated process following this of making a decision .It is sometimes important to meet with the parents and gather some history and make a plan for the work conversely it can be useful to hear all the voices at the first session, there is not ‘a one size fits all’.
How does family therapy help ?
Families come often in times of change and transition, this can be children leaving home, new relationships, step families, bereavement /illness and other issues that require families to adapt and communicate. Communication can get heated, distressing and polarised in families and some space to think through the issues can be very helpful. Often there is one person who is keener on therapy that the rest but that doesn’t mean he others don’t also want change but they may feel stuck or hold less hope that things can improve. Even when sessions feel difficult clients reports following the session’s things are better. The decision to try family therapy is a brave one after all you are probably going to talk about all the things that cause problems or that you try to avoid talking about.
It’s worth giving it a try even a first session can create change.