families
The majority of people receiving relationship counselling (often known
as marriage guidance) are couples, but all
kinds of relationships can develop problems which will benefit from counselling,
including the whole family.
Usually, a family will present to therapy with complaints about one
specific family member who may have become a scapegoat for unresolved
issues between the parents or some other dysfunctional family dynamics.
When working with a family, as with couples, psychotherapists treat the
family relationship as the client . Thus the focus is on the complex
relationship between all family members. |
Some of the tools used in family counselling include:
- Family of origin genograms showing familial patterns of behaviour
- Role plays
- Sandplay
- Homework
A family can, for the purpose of therapy, consist of multi-generations
and also include close friends and partners who are an influence upon
family decisions and behaviours. Ideally, all members who are designated
as part of 'the family' should initially attend therapy.
If you are unsure whether the issues that are concerning you are best dealt
with as a couple or as a family, please discuss this with me.
Seeking help whilst you are still able to talk about problems within
the family, may save a lot of pain and distress later on. Good family
relationships don't just happen naturally; they need constant work and
sometimes, the assistance of a professional counsellor. |
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