Families
The goal of Family Counselling is to facilitate family members to communicate with each other in a way that is heard and understood. Misunderstanding each other, jumping to the wrong conclusion or refusing to accept difference causes conflict and if issues of conflict are not resolved peacefully, they can lead to arguments and resentment and family breakdown.
Often the sessions occur with all family members present, however, this may not always be the case, for example; a family member who suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction might not attend sessions, and might actually be the reason why other family members seek out family counselling. The role of the Therapist is to observe interactions between family members, as well as observing non-interactions of family members, so that each person gets a chance to be heard. If family members get into an argument in a session, the therapist is trained to contain and mediate the session so that the session does not become a re-enactment of family conflict outside.
Conflict occurs when family members’ different opinions, views or beliefs are presented in a way that cause a clash. Ongoing conflict can be stressful and damaging to relationships and some people find it difficult to manage their feelings and become intentionally hurtful, aggressive or even violent. This comes about when differences are not communicated in a way that others can hear, understand and accept, a mediator/counsellor, can ensure that each person’s view is being heard in the way that was intended.
Usually, our first angry impulse is to push the point that we are right and win the argument at any cost. Reaching resolution can be difficult and sometimes impossible if both parties stubbornly stick to their guns. Family Counselling can help each family member to listen and to be heard and to accept that differences do not have to mean war, this encourages negotiation instead of rehashing the same tired scenarios that usually take place. Counselling gives you the skills to communicate in a positive way to reduce conflict so that you can reach a peaceful resolution.
Read more about my Family Mediation service.