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What is family counselling?
This is a way of working with families so that they can learn to communicate more effectively, and deal with problems they may be experiencing. Often there are many feelings, ideas, rules, rituals within families that are not spoken about and bringing them into the open can be an experience that can be daunting, but is often also surprisingly rewarding. The process aims to discover and encourage the development of the strengths that exist within families, to help them tackle difficulties more confidently.
All
families experience problems at times, often these can be resolved within
the family, but sometimes outside help is needed to look for solutions.
Families have times when they face extra strains than those of everyday
existence in our busy modern world. Parents may face work troubles, pressure
or redundancy - often the time when there is most pressure to succeed
at work can be the very same time when children are young and demanding
of time, energy and money.
Parents may be having difficulty in their relationship which impacts on the children. Separation, divorce, or families joining to make larger units can all make for great tensions and difficult adjustments for everyone. There can be adjustments demanded by the blending of different cultures, both within the family or extended family and the community. There can be serious illnesses both physical or mental, disabilities, or a death. The way these are dealt with or not may put unbearable strains on different family members.
Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs ever encountered by many adults, children have many ways of showing their upset with different situations or just with the struggle to grow up. They can become withdrawn, be abusive, get into trouble at school or in the community. As parents we often find that the ideals we had about not treating our children as we were, or vice versa - exactly as we were as it didn't do us any harm‚ - doesn't work for this generation, and we find ourselves acting the opposite to how we would wish.
Family Counselling can help - I try to see as many members of the family as possible, to hear their different views, but will see parents or children by themselves when this is appropriate.
I offer a
professional, experienced but relaxed approach,
and while I help families to explore options, they retain the choice as
to which changes they wish to make. The service is confidential and non-stigmatising,
recognising the value families put on their privacy. The only exceptions
to this would be if there was a danger to members of the family or others,
particularly children. See
Confidentiality
