What happens in Family Counselling?

Family counsellors do not take sides, blame, or provide simple ‘one size fits all’ answers. They aim to engage all family members in sharing understanding and views with each other and exploring ways forward that will work for them.

Meetings (or ‘sessions’) with a family counsellor usually last between 50 minutes and an hour.  

                                         

On occasion, and especially early on in our work with a family group, we may ask to have two counsellors present in a session. The presence of another counsellor helps the lead counsellor to gain a greater awareness of the dynamics operating within a family, of which the family itself and an individual counsellor may sometimes be unaware.

 

This process will help us to provide the best service possible to our family clients. If you would feel uncomfortable with two counsellors in your session, feel free to express any concerns you may have so that we can help overcome them. If your concerns cannot be allayed, we shall ensure you work with an individual counsellor.

 

What is meant by 'Family'?

Different cultures and different groups of individuals have different notions of what 'family' means. CFC takes 'family' to mean any group of people who define themselves as such and who care about and for each other.

 

Family assessments may consist of two sessions:  

•       In the first session, if your family includes children under 14 years, we ask that only the parents/guardian attend. The same applies to a single parent/guardian with children under 14 years of age.  

•       The children will join for the second session, after the parents/guardians have had their session alone.  

 

If all children are above 14 years of age, then all may attend the first session with the parents/guardians.  

 

No child under 5 years old is invited to family counselling.  

 

To ensure every family member seeking counselling feels valued and included it is important that all family members concerned are willing to attend the sessions. Often the whole family will attend sessions, as the counsellor learns the dynamics of the affected members. It can however, on occasion, be very beneficial to work with smaller groups within the family, e.g. mum and daughter, parents, dad and the children, or an individual. Your counsellor will discuss this with you in the initial sessions, or as the counselling progresses.  

 

Please note, if you are bringing children as a part of the family work, their safety and wellbeing is your responsibility.

 

At the end of each session, you will discuss who will be attending the following session with your counsellor. This means that your counsellor must know if you would like to invite another family member so that you can discuss this together.

 
This is because the names and ages of all attendees must be registered in advance and agreed upon by the counsellor. Only those who are pre-booked in this way will be able to attend. The session will not go ahead if a member arrives without prior agreement.  

 

How many of us can come at once?

A limit of five family members is set in order to ensure that everyone attending can have a voice within the process. More people could hinder the effectiveness of the counselling. Generally, size or age is not a barrier. These can be 'grown up' families too.

 

How long does it take?

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to help people free up their strengths and find ways forward. Sometimes difficulties are more complex, and families may need longer to find solutions that work for them - so how long counselling takes will depend on your specific needs as a family. Your counsellor will help you to plan your sessions and identify what you want to achieve whilst you are with us

 

How regularly will we see our counsellor?

It’s best to keep the momentum going, so meeting once weekly at the same time and day will help you and your counsellor make progress together. It helps if you can bring your diary with you to your first session to enable you and your counsellor to arrange a series of sessions, factoring in any foreseeable holidays or work/family commitments.

 

From the beginning of your time with your counsellor we ask you to think about what you would like to achieve before leaving us and to talk about how long you may need to come for. Endings are a very important part of your counselling, and you will benefit from the process of evaluation and completion. It can offer a real sense of achievement, insight and clarity. We do ask you not to just disappear.

 

Where financial considerations could limit the number of sessions you are able to attend, please let the counsellor know at the beginning and the work will be tailored to what is achievable in that time.

 

What if we have to cancel an appointment?

If you can’t keep an appointment for any reason, please let us know. If you are paying, a charge will be made if less than 24 hours’ notice is given. If you are accessing subsidised sessions all missed appointments will count as one of your sessions. If you miss two appointments in a row and we can’t contact you, we will assume that you do not want to continue with your counselling right now. 

 

Please note: if you do not come to your first appointment, and have not let us know in advance, you will be charged a £10 administration fee. This is payable before your next appointment.

 

What sort of counselling will my family be offered?

We offer an Integrative style of working tailored to meet your specific family needs, which can include Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic or Transactional Analysis. The focus of family counselling will be on the family system as a whole. The work aims to look at the relationships between the family members. We aim to help the family understand where difficulty arises and support them in finding ways to communicate with each other more effectively. Bearing in mind the differing ages and life experiences of each family, we work creatively to help family members become more in touch with their difficulties. By developing skills (and perhaps having fun) we work towards finding potential solutions as a family.

 

What does family counselling offer?

Counselling for families allows you to talk about your situation in a safe, supportive, non-judgemental and confidential environment. Your counsellor will work with you to explore other ways of relating to each other and look at ways of building emotional resilience in the face of life's challenges.

 

How can we be assured of my counsellor's professionalism?

Your counsellor(s) will be fully qualified and will abide by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical guidelines. They have specific training in working with children and families. All our counsellors receive professional structured clinical support from our team of accredited and/or highly experienced and qualified clinical supervisors. We are organisational members of the BACP and are bound by its ethical framework for good practice.

 

Do we need to be referred to get an appointment?

No. You are free to refer yourself - Simply phone, email or drop in to make an appointment.

 

Will counselling sessions be confidential?

Yes, counselling sessions are confidential. However, there may be exceptions to this, for example, if your counsellor believes you, another person, or themselves to be at serious risk of harm, and particularly if there is a child at risk. In such an instance the counsellor will raise this with you and discuss their obligation to take the matter further via their clinical supervisor and the Clinical Services Manager.