The Family Therapy Service, also known as the Systemic Family Psychotherapy Service, can help those in close relationships to better understand and support each other.
Therapeutic discussions are guided in an accepting and non-judgmental way to help resolve difficulties, improve communication, and explore complex relationship issues that can arise when there is an experience of mental illness. We work together to understand the implications and effects of issues and difficulties, exploring different ideas and strategies families might find helpful.
The word ‘Family’ is used to describe two or more people who care about and support each other in a close relationship. It may include people across several generations, heterosexual and same sex relationships, traditional families, step-families, couples and those who describe themselves as family.
Systemic Therapy is committed to working in ways that recognise, respect and value diversity such as: age, ethnicity, gender, race, culture, disability, spirituality and sexuality.
Family Therapy can be particularly helpful at times of major change or stress. It can also help to:
- Increase understanding of each other and the illness and explore the development of supportive coping strategies.
- Improve communication, which may have come to feel stuck and unhelpful.
- Reduce the sense of isolation felt by the person suffering from a mental health condition, as well as for other involved family members.
