Family therapy

What is family therapy?

Sometimes families need some time to talk and listen together to explore thoughts and emotions safely.

A family is made up of individuals who have different views, feelings and experiences. Family therapy invites you to share some understanding and appreciate each other’s needs and build on family strengths. In doing that, we hope we can facilitate change.

We know that a health condition can bring additional pressures to family life.

What are the benefits?

Family therapy is safe place to listen to and support each other. It can help to talk about the past, present and anything that might be difficult in the future.

It will build on your strengths as a family, and help to work together to make useful changes as a family and work towards family goals.

It can help to talk about the past, the present or future challenges.

Who would we bring?

Family Therapy works best if you can bring the people that are important in your life. This might be family members (extended), friends, partners and other professionals.

Families that are separated have also found it useful to meet together to think about the challenge.

Who will we see?

Family therapists work individually or in teams.

You sometimes might see trainees who will be supervised by a qualified family therapist.

Family therapists and other mental health professionals with specialist experience in working with children and families living with health conditions.

What can we expect?

In your first appointment you will have a chance to ask questions and discuss what you hope to achieve.

Sessions will usually last 1 hour. We will think with you about how often we need to meet and for how long.

As part of the work, we will hold reviews to think about progress.

We usually offer up to 6 sessions, every 2 to 3 weeks.

You will meet with a therapist as well as a team who will offer some reflections during the session, to help identify strengths and share different ideas.

We will meet in a therapy room away from the hospital.

We will keep what we talk about confidential and discuss with you who to share information about your progress with.