Family therapy

What is family therapy?

Family therapy provides a structured and non-judgmental space for families to openly express their thoughts and emotions. A therapist guides conversations to help improve communication, strengthen relationships, and find constructive ways forward.

Family therapy doesn’t always involve the whole family at once. A therapist may see individuals, couples, or smaller family groups. The definition of 'family' is flexible and can include anyone who plays a significant role in your life; extended family members, step-parents, or close family friends.

Counsellor Alexis Powell-Howard explains more about family therapy: knowing when to seek support, what to expect from sessions and how to find the right therapist for you.

Why consider family therapy?

Families are complex, with each member bringing their own unique experiences, emotions, and perspectives. Major life events - such as marriage, divorce, mental health challenges, or significant transitions - can create tension and strain on relationships. When communication breaks down, patterns of conflict emerge, or unresolved emotions linger. Family therapy can offer a constrictive space to work through challenges.

Family therapy aims to be:

• Inclusive: Ensuring every family member feels heard and valued. 
• Strength-focused: Recognising individual strengths and building on these within sessions.
• Collaborative: Helping families find solutions together, rather than reinforcing blame or division.
• Culturally sensitive: Respecting diverse family structures, traditions, and beliefs.

Often communication is at the very heart of relationship problems and family issues are no different. The parents divorce, siblings and parents become estranged and often it can be through miscommunication or different styles of communication that rifts start and last.

- Counsellor Graeme Orr in his article, ‘Do you struggle with family issues?’. 

What can family therapy help with?

Family therapy can support families facing a wide range of challenges, including:

• Strengthening relationships and improving communication.
• Supporting families affected by addiction.
• Helping individuals living with mental illness.
• Navigating disabilities or chronic illness within the family.
• Addressing behavioural concerns in children or teenagers.
• Managing separation, divorce or co-parenting concerns.
• Processing trauma, grief or loss.
• Adjusting to life transitions, such as moving, changing schools, or marriage.

When family members face difficulties, therapy provides a space to express concerns, listen to each other, and develop practical strategies for resolving conflicts. With a therapist’s guidance, differences can often be understood and relationships repaired. Taking the time to talk and listen can be difficult with the everyday happenings of family life, having family therapy sessions gives you a dedicated space to do just that.

What happens in family therapy?

Therapy typically begins with an assessment, where the therapist gets to know the family's concerns, goals, and dynamics. From there, sessions may involve the entire family, smaller groups, or individuals, depending on the situation.

Sessions typically last between 50 and 90 minutes and may occur weekly or at an agreed frequency. Therapists use various methods, including: 

• Open discussions to explore emotions and perspectives.
• Structured exercises to improve communication and problem-solving.
• Creative activities (drawing, role-playing, or games) for younger family members, to encourage expression.

Therapists remain neutral and avoid taking ‘sides’.  Their role is to engage the family as a whole and explore with you ways to move forward. They should give everyone ample time to speak.

Our family systems are unique, fragile and fluid. Understanding our position within not only our system but within the wider community, can provide us with a deeper and more enriched way of looking at our interactions with others, as well as how we view and treat ourselves.

- Counsellor Joshua Miles in his article, ‘Family dynamics and the roles we play’.

Different approaches to family therapy

Family therapy takes many forms, each designed to address specific dynamics, challenges, and relationships within the family unit. Here are some key approaches:

Functional family therapy (FFT)

FFT is particularly effective for families dealing with behavioural challenges, especially in adolescents. It combines cognitive behavioural strategies with family-based strategies to help parents and children strengthen their relationships, develop better communication, and learn healthier ways to cope with conflict.

Narrative family therapy

This approach empowers family members to reshape the way they see themselves and their challenges. By rewriting personal and shared family stories, individuals can separate their identity from problems, reframe negative experiences, and discover new perspectives that foster healing and growth.

Strategic family therapy

Focused on fast, practical solutions, strategic therapy helps families resolve specific issues through direct, goal-oriented interventions. The therapist assigns structured tasks that encourage behavioural shifts, helping to break unhealthy patterns. This method is especially useful for managing parent-child conflicts and addressing behavioural issues.

Structural family therapy

This approach examines family roles, hierarchies, and boundaries to create a healthier family structure. It is particularly helpful when there is confusion around parental authority or when children take on responsibilities beyond their age. By restructuring interactions, families can develop clearer roles, improve relationships, and restore balance.

Systemic family therapy

Systemic therapy explores how individual behaviour and emotions are influenced by family relationships and external connections. This method helps uncover hidden patterns within interactions, addressing issues that contribute to stress and conflict. Unlike other approaches, systemic therapy can involve not only immediate family members but also extended relatives, partners, friends, and caregivers, offering a broader perspective on relational dynamics.

Frequently asked questions

What if a member of the family is reluctant to come?

For some family members, the idea of family therapy can feel a little daunting. In this case, it can be useful to arrange a meeting with the family therapist and the family member, giving them a chance to ask any questions they may have before officially starting the therapy sessions. Family therapists will be able to explain how they work and seek to find a way of working that makes everyone comfortable.

Can I see a family therapist alone?

You can see a family therapist as an individual. For many, it is helpful to have the family present in sessions to discuss together what’s happening but, of course, this isn’t always possible. Seeing a family therapist as an individual can still be very helpful.

How long does family therapy take?

The duration varies based on family needs. Some families see improvements within a few sessions, while others may need ongoing support for several months.