A family is a system, and change in any member affects everyone. When tension at home rises, parents disagree about raising the children, or the relationship with a child becomes difficult, family counseling helps restore balance and calm.
Understanding it
Systemic approaches in family therapy look for problems not in one person but in the patterns of interaction between family members. Decades of research show that "authoritative" parenting, a combination of warmth and affection with clear boundaries, is associated with better outcomes for children.
When to reach out
- Parents disagreeing about raising the children
- Children's behavioural or emotional difficulties
- Tension with a teenager
- Interference from families of origin in your marriage
- Adjusting to a new baby
- Blended families or remarriage
- The impact of migration on family relationships
Evidence-based approaches
Systemic and structural family therapy
Understanding roles, boundaries and patterns of interaction in the family, and reshaping them.
Emotion coaching for parents (Gottman)
Helping parents recognise and accept their child's emotions and guide them in managing them.
Authoritative parenting
Balancing warmth and firmness, with clear and consistent rules.
How sessions work
Hearing the parents' perspectives
[Sessions with the children present when appropriate]
Practising parenting skills
Following up on changes at home
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to attend sessions?+
It depends on age and the issue. Sometimes working with the parents alone has the greatest effect.
What if my partner and I disagree about parenting?+
This is one of the most common topics, and the goal is reaching a shared approach.
To begin, simply book a session.
Book a counseling sessionOther areas
This page is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a professional assessment. If there is immediate danger, violence or a crisis, contact your local emergency services.