Family therapy is a branch of psychotherapy focusing specifically on family relationships. It works from the premise that a problem lies within the family as a whole, rather than with a single person within the family unit. It is also referred to as couples therapy and family systems therapy.
Family therapy encourages change and development, and the combined resolution of family conflicts and problems. The focus is on how families interact relationally together, emphasizing the importance of a functioning family unit for psychological health and wellbeing. Regardless of the origin of an issue, or whom the problem lies with, the therapist's aim is to engage the family in beneficial solutions, seeking constructive ways for family members to support each other through direct participation. A skilled family therapist will have the ability to influence conversations in such a way as to harness the strength and the wisdom of the family unit as a whole, taking into consideration the wider economic, social, cultural, political and religious context in which the family lives, and respecting each individual's different perspectives, beliefs, views and stories.
(Family in this instance is defined as long-term relationships that are active within the family, or strongly support the familial unit, irrelevant as to whether related by blood or not.)
Related UKCP modality section:
Family, couple, sexual and systemic therapies (FCSS) |
