Family Therapy
Families have unique strengths that enable them to find their own ways forward through difficult situations.
BRB Mediation provides clinical family therapy services to families going through times of transition and change, as well as to families going through separation and in times of conflict.
Family Therapy is a unique space that invites all members of the family to meet together and collaborate on shared problems, goals and relational needs. Ultimately in Family Therapy, the family heals itself. Each family is unique and has it's own negative patterns and cycles, but also of resolution and healing. Using a professional to help guide your family through conflict and difficult conversations means you will be able to really harness your family's unique strengths, shift perspectives, learn new skills and be better able to heal together.
Family Therapy aims to be:
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Inclusive and considerate of the needs of each member of the family and/or other key relationships (systems) in people’s lives
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Recognise and build on peoples’ strengths and relational resources
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Work in partnership ‘with’ families and others, not ‘on’ them
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Sensitive to diverse family forms and relationships, beliefs and cultures
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Enable people to talk, together or individually, often about difficult or distressing issues, in ways that respect their experiences, invite engagement and support recovery.
How are the sessions run?
Therapy is offered in combinations of individual sessions, groups of family members, sessions just for parents, and sessions where the whole family attends (where appropriate). The therapist’s role is to consider everyone's needs and help family members identify joint goals and strengths, discuss difficult issues, and support any relational repair.
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To ensure the best fit for the family’s needs, we will assess for suitability at the beginning of the process with three sessions initially. This is to ensure that the motivation for therapeutic change is present, that shared/agreed goals for therapy can be established and so that participants can also advise that it is the right process for them.
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For separated families an individual consultation with each parent will usually be offered at commencement, and this will aid in guiding how best to conduct sessions ongoing.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy is a therapeutic space open to anyone within the immediate or wider family that wants to better understand or improve their relationships. Family therapy can assist members to explore and express difficult emotions and thoughts, understand each other’s experiences, appreciate one another’s needs, and make useful changes in the ways they may relate.
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Where individual therapy concentrates on a person’s personal challenges and concerns, the aims of family therapy are to look outside the individual and engage the whole family system as a functioning unit. This more holistic approach enables family members to shift their focus, broaden their understanding of relational problems and seek creative solutions to the ways in which they may communicate, respond, and navigate the emotional field of relationships.
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Research shows Family Therapy is useful for children, young people and adults experiencing a very wide range of difficulties and experiences and can also be a suitable forum for repair in adult sibling relationships.
What confidentiality applies?
What confidentiality applies?
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At all times we are screening for safety, and as mandatory reporters’, confidentiality may not apply if we hold concerns for a family member’s safety, in particular for a child/children.
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We work with clients and families to build a therapeutic alliance based on trust. To maintain this trust between therapist and client, and to protect ongoing family relationships, it is vital to ensure that family therapy is commenced with therapeutic change in mind rather than as a means of supplying/gathering evidence. Please note that any subpoena requiring us to supply our notes for a court process will be objected to in the first instance.
Other information:
Other information:
To provide the best level of service it is our policy to limit the volume of cases we take on, and as such do not take on court ordered family therapy nor provide family therapy to families who are actively engaged in court proceedings. However, we are happy to work with separated families either pre or post litigation.
