Systemic Family Therapy
Systemic Family Therapy provides an opportunity for people to come together in their important relationships to address difficult issues they are facing. This model of therapy focuses on how relationships have been affected by the many influences in life both past and present. Also attention is paid to the strengths, skills and resources within families and their networks and how these can be harnessed to bring about positive change.
Who is it for?
Family Therapy is effective for a wide range of psychological problems, but it is most helpful when relationships have become the main focus of difficulties. This may be due to stress caused by life changes eg marriage, births, deaths or loss of health. Also the effects of trauma or mental illness can have far reaching effects on family functioning as can difficulties from past or outside relationships. It is also worth considering Family/Couple therapy when individual therapy has not proved fully effective.
Any combination of family members can attend including step- or extended families and this might vary for different sessions. Family Therapy is interested in all of the important relationships family members are engaged in, so if other professionals are involved in your treatment and care, their contribution could also be helpful to consider.
How does it work?
When we first meet a family, it is helpful to hear everyone’s views of the things that are concerning them. The therapist can then jointly decide if further appointments will be helpful and who should attend in the first instance.
During the early sessions your therapist will talk with you about identified problems and issues that have brought you to therapy; how they have arisen and what solutions you have tried. This is to understand the effect on individuals within and outside the family and the impact on relationships involved. Your therapist will explore your descriptions and explanations with respect and curiosity. This process is assisted by the Family Therapy Reflecting Team, (between 1 - 4 members), who sit on the side lines following the dialogue. During the session the therapist will pause and ask the reflecting team to share their thoughts on what they have heard while the family listen. It is hoped that this will assist in developing new understandings and ways of thinking about things, as these reflections can often offer different perspectives. The therapist and family are then invited to give feedback on aspects they found validating and interesting or that they may want to challenge or develop. This in turns provides new information and hopefully new therapeutic conversations emerge in response. The aim is to pave the way for new meanings, ways of being and relating to others.
How Long?
Following the initial assessment meeting we offer six monthly sessions each lasting 90 minutes. After a review, there is an option to meet for a further six sessions if the family would like (making a maximum of twelve sessions).
When and Where?
The Family Therapy Clinic is held at Gaskell House Psychotherapy Centre, Swinton Grove, Manchester. The main clinic runs from 5pm on Tuesday evenings.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust