Family Therapy
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a form of psychological therapy that emphasises the interactions within a family system. This form of therapy acknowledges that family members have an impact on each other's feelings, actions, and general well-being. Depending on the needs of the family, sessions may include parents, kids, partners, or other caregivers.
The goal of family therapy is to improve communication between family members, assisting them in better understanding their patterns of interaction, and fostering healthier family dynamics and stronger bonds. Under the supervision of a family psychologist, family therapy offers a controlled and secure setting for families to discuss difficulties.
Common Signs and Experiences
Families seek therapy for various different reasons, often when challenges begin to affect relationships, communication, or daily functioning. These difficulties may develop gradually or arise in response to sudden changes, and they can look different for each family. Some of these reasons may include, but are not limited to:
Stress
Familial Conflict
Death and Grief
Adapting to major life changes, such as divorce, remarriage or relocation
These challenges may show up in everyday interactions, sometimes in the form of frequent misunderstandings, heightened emotions or repeated arguments that feel difficult to resolve. Family members may feel unheard, disconnected, or unsure of how to support one another, even when there is a strong desire to do so.
How Disruptions in Families Can Affect Daily Life
When family relationships are strained, the effects may extend beyond the home. Ongoing conflicts or emotional disconnection may contribute to stress, anxiety, or difficulties concentrating at school or work. For instance, children may express distress through behavioural changes or academic struggles, while adults may feel overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted.
How Family Therapy Can Help
Family therapy aims to provide a structured and supportive space for families to slow down and reflect on how they relate to one another. With guidance from a family psychologist, families may identify unhelpful patterns, express emotions more safely, and learn skills for clearer communication and problem-solving.
Family therapy may also help family members better understand each other’s perspectives, needs, and vulnerabilities, even during conflict. Some goals of family therapy include supporting parents in developing consistent and effective approaches, helping children and adolescents feel heard, and strengthening the emotional bonds within the family.
Rather than offering quick fixes, family therapy focuses on meaningful, lasting change. Through improving how families respond to stress, disagreement, and change, therapy fosters resilience and connection, where families continue to apply such skills in supporting them long after therapy concludes.
Our Approach (Evidence-based, psychologist-led)
Our approach towards family therapy is evidence-based, collaborative, and led by registered psychologists with extensive experience in family and relational work. We draw on well-established therapeutic models such as Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT). These approaches focus on strengthening emotional connections within the family while also addressing unhelpful interaction patterns that may contribute to ongoing difficulties.
Family therapy sessions are psychologist-led and actively facilitated to ensure sessions remain focused, safe, and productive.
What to Expect in Sessions
Family therapy sessions typically last 80 minutes and may involve the whole family or specific members, depending on the goals of therapy. Sessions are collaborative and paced to suit each family’s needs and their safety and comfort level. Some conversations may feel challenging, but our family psychologist helps to ensure discussions remain respectful and productive.
Early sessions are focused on understanding the family’s concerns, relationships and hope for change. The family psychologist will ask questions to explore patterns of interaction and communication styles. As therapy progresses, sessions may include guided conversations and skill-building exercises to support new ways of relating. Families are encouraged to practice these skills between sessions, applying them to real-life situations.
Who This Service Is Suitable For
Family therapy is suitable for families at many different stages and facing a wide range of challenges. It can support families with young children, adolescents, adult children, or multi-generational households. This service may be helpful for families experiencing conflict, communication difficulties, parenting challenges, emotional or behavioural concerns, or significant life transitions.
If family relationships are causing distress or feel stuck, family therapy offers a supportive pathway toward understanding, connection, and healthier ways of relating.
Frequently Asked Questions (3–5 FAQs)
Do all family members need to attend every session?
Not always. Attendance depends on the goals of therapy and what is most helpful at each stage. Our family psychologist will see families together for the initial sessions, and where necessary, they might see each individual separately to have a better understanding of who they are, their struggles and perhaps even internal blockages that might keep them in the current cycle.
Is family therapy only for families in serious conflict?
No. Family therapy is not limited to situations of high conflict or crisis. Many families seek therapy to strengthen communication, improve understanding, or navigate transitions such as parenting changes, relocation, or shifts in family roles. Starting therapy early can help prevent small issues from becoming more entrenched and support healthier relationships over time.
What if one family member is reluctant to attend?
This is a common concern and does not prevent therapy from being helpful. Our family psychologist can begin work with those who are willing to attend and explore ways to address the reluctance with sensitivity and respect. In some cases, individual or partial-family sessions can still lead to positive changes within the wider family system.
How long does family therapy take?
The duration of family therapy varies depending on the family’s goals, the nature of the concerns, and how the family responds to therapy. Some families benefit from short-term, focused work over a few sessions, while others may choose to engage in longer-term therapy for more complex or ongoing challenges. Progress is reviewed collaboratively throughout the process.
Call to Action
If your family is experiencing challenges, you do not have to navigate them alone. Family therapy offers a supportive space to understand one another better, strengthen relationships, and build ways of communicating and coping together.
Our psychologist-led, evidence-based approach is designed to meet families where they are, with care, respect, and practical guidance. Whether you are facing ongoing conflict, adjusting to change, or simply wanting to reconnect, we are here to help.
Reach out to us today to learn more about family therapy or to book an initial consultation. Taking this step can be the beginning of meaningful, lasting change for your family.