Family counselling helps you to understand and cope better with the stresses and strains of family life. Families can be a source of support, encouragement and love but sometimes relationships within families are put under strain and family members feel isolated or overlooked.
Family counselling can help when siblings aren’t getting on, or parents and children are going through a divorce or separation. Forming a new family is a challenge and it is at this point that many parents contact Relate for some support to help everyone settle.
Every family member can have a voice and be heard within family counselling. Relate family counsellors help everyone say how they are feeling and then to work on the issues.
Once you have made an appointment with your local Relate Centre you will be seen by a trained professional who will ask a few questions about your family. At this stage you will also talk about session times and discuss the cost of counselling.
If at this stage counselling is considered appropriate, you will start to see your family counsellor. Given the talking you fit into one session, it is common for families to meet once every couple of weeks, and sometimes different family members will be seen individualy to work on specific issues.
If at this stage counselling is not thought to be appropriate, referral can be made via your GP to Family Therapy. This can help with more complex family issues.
Many families can get counselling through their children’s school so it is worth enquiring at your child’s school if a partnership exists. You may be reading this because a teacher has refered you and/or your child. However you come into contact with Relate, we hope that you join the thousands of families who have made use of this service to get talking again and heal family rifts.