Family Therapy

The Children and Young People (CYP) part of the Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service is delivered by YMCA DownsLink Group.

What is Family Therapy?

Family Therapy focuses on how relationships have been affected by the many influences in life both past and present. Attention is also paid to the strengths, skills and resources within families and their networks and how these can be harnessed to bring about positive change.

Who is it for?

Family therapy is suitable for families with children and young people aged 2-24. It is most helpful when relationships have become the main focus of, or contributor to, the difficulties. This may be due to stress caused by life changes e.g. marriage, births, deaths, loss of health as well as the effects of trauma or mental illness which can have far reaching effects on family functioning.  Any combination of family members can attend including step- or extended families and this might vary for different sessions.

When is it not suitable?

• Ongoing court case

• Eating disorders

• Evidence of ongoing domestic violence

• Parents who are either seeking couple therapy or are in the process of a very conflictual separation

For systemic family therapy to be effective, the family need to be willing to participate and understand the value of their involvement in the therapy.