Family therapy is an effective way to work with children’s difficulties, both when individuals have acquired a mental health diagnosis and when there is more general or complex distress. It is effective across the lifecycle, spanning developmental stages from under fives to old age. Working therapeutically with individuals together with their families and/or significant others enables the use of individuals’ relationships as a resource, and reduces stress and difficulties for all family members.
Just as someone who is sailing a ship is more likely to be affected by the iceberg they can’t see under water, so our children can be massively affected by the patterns, feelings and needs that lie beneath everyday family events. Our families are ‘people making’ factories, and our children develop, grow and are shaped by their family and social environments. Even when conditions have a clear biological basis, psychological and relationship problems have a real impact on the levels of distress and likelihood of relapse.
Family therapy can address feelings that everyone in the family might have and not be able to express. Low self esteem, a feeling of loss and helplessness are just a few that might be issues that could be addressed and talked through.
