Family therapy/ Counselling - how to get help, and is it effective?

[Mar65]

Has anyone had family therapy or counselling? I feel we are at the stage where we need help as a family, but i am not sure where to turn, what services are available, and if any other parents out there have had positive experiences. Thanks.

We have just started it, have done two sessions. We're getting it through CAHMS (Childrens' and Adolescents' Mental Health Service) because dd is already having treatment from them. Your GP should be able to tell you what there is.

I'm finding it helpful, just as a way of getting the whole family to talk (apart from little brother who is refusing to attend), and to talk about everybody's needs rather than just the one identified problem. We find them very non-judgmental and very much about getting us to talk and identify problems/solutions rather than telling us what to do. But somehow it seems much easier to do that in the sessions.

Get in touch with Young Minds

www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents/parent_helpline

They can advise you on what options are available, I have found them very helpfull (though I would phone - their forum gets very little traffic)

Good Luck

we've had loads, through CAMHS (your GP can refer you) and at different hospitals and some other therapy through a special social services sort of swat team - some more helpful than others but it's often all there is on offer anyway

I suppose it might be more effective for some problems than others?

We have had a couple of sessions. Was referred through GP but did it privately. Found it very helpful. We do talk as a family but these sessions meant that the discussion was controlled and guided by the therapist and noone can just walk out when they do not like what they are hearing.

Thanks so much all- this has been very helpful! Will arrange via GP tomorrow.

Some friends had it and felt it stirred up problems that ought not to have been stirred up for no real reason. It took them a long time to get over the effects.

Probably like other therapies it will be variable according to who is leading it.

Did it and while it never really helped our DD, it certainly helped me and her dad strengthen our relationship. Also gave us some great tips and skills which have helped over th past four years.