Family Therapy

Family therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space for families affected by challenges, including mental illness, attachment issues in relationships, and other concerns about family life. Often, licensed professionals can see families and couples in numerous organizations throughout the United Kingdom, and they can make a significant difference in the emotional health of the whole family as well as individual family members, including younger and older adults (although a young person may benefit from specialized help from an experienced child and adolescent therapist). This post provides further information on therapy options and the types of family therapy available in the UK. 

Where do family therapists practice?

Who can benefit? Families affected by conflict, parenting issues, illness, eating disorders, and more 

Family therapy can help with a variety of family-related challenges. For example, a family therapist may help family members of all ages resolve conflicts and overcome difficulties, whether between siblings, parents and children, or couples. A family doesn’t have to have major family issues to benefit from therapy. Some families may choose to pursue therapy when going through a significant life transition, such as a marriage, relocation to a new city, or the death of a loved one.  In some cases, the therapist might recommend that individuals speak to a therapist one-on-one as a supplement to family therapy, such as a standard cognitive-behavioral therapist (CBT) for adults. Additionally, a young person in the family may benefit from seeing a CBT-trained therapist specializing in treatment for children and adolescents, particularly if they’re struggling with a more serious mental health issue like eating disorders or other mental illnesses.

What happens in a session? How therapists help families talk, listen, and build better communication

Although several types of family therapy are discussed below, each with its own methodology and characteristics, they share a common goal: creating a safe space for families to meet and discuss the challenges they face as a unit and as individuals. During treatment, the therapist will arrange the room for maximum comfort as the family progresses. Over time, the therapeutic process evolves to accommodate the family as they develop communication, conflict-resolution, and coping skills.  

What is systemic family therapy?

Family therapists often help families through an approach called systemic psychotherapy. Systemic therapy typically focuses on treating groups of individuals in different ways as a system. This type of therapy can be used with any group of people that make up a system, including friends, coworkers, and family members. One of the core ideas of systemic therapy is that when a part of a system is broken, the whole system is affected. Systemic practice allows each individual in the family unit to discuss their feelings in a supportive environment. A systemic family therapist with the proper expertise can help families begin to heal wounds, repair communication challenges, and provide families with the knowledge to develop close relationships that last.

Systemic psychotherapists in the UK: Training, standards, and working with other professionals

Systemic psychotherapists in the UK typically train through 4-year master’s courses to develop the knowledge and expertise needed to work with clients. Additionally, accreditation focused on relationship dynamics requires access to clinical practice, supervision, personal development, and adherence to high professional standards set by bodies such as the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).  They often work across health/social care, consulting on complex group interactions (families, teams) and upholding ethical codes, mandatory CPD, and robust complaints procedures, often collaborating with other professionals as a team in integrated care settings. 

Functional family therapy

Family therapists may also use an approach called functional family therapy (FFT). FFT is a type of family counselling that can be especially useful for families with young people who are experiencing behavioral challenges, such as disciplinary problems in school or substance use. FFT may improve parenting skills and enhance relationships among the entire family, which may help with a child’s behavioral difficulty. 

Structural family therapy 

Structural family therapy tends to focus on a family's structure, including its boundaries and hierarchies. Families who participate in structural family therapy may find that, with the therapist’s guidance, they can find their own solutions to unhelpful patterns of communication.

Other kinds of family support: Short courses, parenting guidance, and community resources

In some cases, families may seek access to alternative resources in addition to, or instead of, family therapy. For example, parents and carers may take a free course via Raise York, covering topics from teen challenges to special educational needs (SEN). Charities like Family Lives and YoungMinds can provide further information and expert guidance to families facing a range of challenges. 

Local Councils and Family hubs offer “one-stop-shop” services for health, education, and social needs—including resources for co-parenting and specific challenges such as mental health and overall family wellbeing. 

Where to find online mental health therapists

Some online family therapists advertise their services on their own websites, while others are listed in an online therapy directory in the UK. With online therapy, families can often choose a therapist from anywhere in the UK. This option might be helpful for those who prefer to find a professional outside their local community or those who are looking for a therapist with experience helping families with specific challenges. 

Individual online therapy

Some people might have family members who are not currently open to family therapy. In these situations, getting help through individual online therapy is still possible. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, individuals can speak with a professional counsellor who understands the challenges of having family members who cannot or will not attend therapy. Online therapy allows you to connect with a therapist in the most comfortable way, whether by phone, video, or live chat. In addition, online therapy may be more cost-effective. 

Over the last 15 years, numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy. In one systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was effective for generalized anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorders, among others.