Family therapy

Family Therapy is particularly helpful when the emotional or psychological distress the children experience is related to difficulties in their home lives, such as conflict in relationships between parents or other family members or unresolved past family trauma.

Family therapy can improve the communication within families, solve family problems, understand and manage special family situations, and creating a better functioning home environment. Overall, it aims to increase awareness of each family member’s needs and establish a better relationship between them.

A number of studies support the view that family therapy approaches enhance the quality of family relationships and overall family functioning and that attachment-based family therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are more effective treatments because they strengthen relationships; reduce family stress; enhance social support and improve communication and understanding.

A 2015 survey of children attending CAMHS found that family relationship problems were the single biggest presenting problem. Similarly, ‘family relationships’ were the leading reason why children contacted Childline in 2015 (taken from Fundamental Facts about Mental Health 2016, Pg 62. Mental Health Foundation).

Family therapy sessions can be held at the child’s school or in another community setting. It is available via some of our School Partnerships but can also be accessed directly.