Family Therapy

Family Therapy — also known as Systemic and Family Psychotherapy, or family counselling — is a form of evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people understand how their close relationships shape their experiences, and how change in those relationships can open up new possibilities for living well.

At its heart, Family Therapy recognises something simple but profound: we are shaped by our relationships. The people closest to us — our partners, parents, children, and families — are central to our sense of who we are. When those relationships are strained or painful, it affects everything. Conversely, when relationships improve, people often find that longstanding individual struggles begin to shift as well.

Family Therapy works by exploring those relational patterns, building on the strengths people already have, and helping individuals, couples, and families find new and more helpful ways of relating and living.

Family Therapy is built around a few core principles:

• Everyone involved deserves to feel heard and respected
• People have strengths and resources — therapy helps uncover and build on them
• Therapy is a collaboration — we work with you, not on you
• Sessions are adapted to the needs, ages, and preferences of everyone involved
• There is no blame, no taking of sides, and no one-size-fits-all answers

Family Therapy is supported by strong evidence for children, adolescents, and adults and can help with a wide range of difficulties including relationship and communication problems, parenting concerns, grief and loss, trauma, mental health difficulties, separation and divorce, and challenging behaviours in children and young people.

To learn more about the evidence base for Systemic and Family Therapy, visit the Australian Association of Family Therapy at http://www.aaft.asn.au.