Family and Couple Therapy
Information leaflet produced for patients by Gaskell House
Family and Couple Therapy
Information leaflet produced for patients by Gaskell House
These forms of talking treatment are related in that they are based on the idea that emotional disturbance, difficulties or psychological illness identified in one person in a marriage, partnership or family may have its roots in the system of current relationships between partners or family members. Therapies of this sort may be used at Gaskell House if there is agreement between the therapist(s) and you and your partner or family that this is the case with your difficulties. The focus of the therapy is on the intimate relationships between people, rather than on one individual's problems.
Who Can Benefit From Family & Couple Therapies?
These therapies can help with a wide range of problems, including:
Such therapies work best where partners or family members can accept that the problem is a shared one for which they have joint responsibility, are willing to co-operate and can tolerate the expression of strong feelings between each in the course of treatment.
A specialised form of couple therapy is available for couples experiencing problems with sexual intercourse, but this is not specifically offered at Gaskell House. It is possible to be referred specifically for this formof treatment.
Certain forms of family therapy are suitable for aiding treatment of a couple or family who are finding it hard to manage with a partner or family member with a severe mental illness.
How Do Family & Couple Therapies Work?
There are a number of slightly different approaches to Family and Couple therapy, but all share the view that difficulties seen in one member of a family or couple signify problems within the system of current relationships in it, which are usually hidden and are not known even to those involved. Therapists try to understand family or couple relationships and communications without taking sides, and encourage family members or couples to have more open communication of feelings and views with each other, which can in turn lead to an improvement in your original problems.
Although you may have been asked at an assessment interview to decide on goals for change in therapy new ones may arise out of the work with your therapist(s).
About Your Therapist(s)
In Family and Couple therapies, you may work with a single therapist of either sex, or with two therapists, usually a man and woman working together. Your therapists may be either members of staff at Gaskell House or visiting therapists who work there part time. Some therapists are highly trained and experienced: some are in training and will have supervision on their work with you by a senior member of staff. Your confidentiality and that of your partner or family will be respected at all times. Therapists may, however, have a duty to inform your family doctor about your therapy.
What Can You Expect In Therapy?
You can expect to meet with your therapist at a regular and agreed time and place each week. The room should be the same one each time and every effort will be made to find a convenient session time for you. In Family and Couple therapy, sessions are usually two or more weeks apart, as much of the important work of treatment takes place between appointments at home.
You are expected to attend regularly and on time and to talk openly and honestly with the therapists and your partner or family. This may at first feel difficult and risky, but you will be helped by facing and communicating your feelings.
Your therapist(s) will help communication between family members or partners, offer support and sometimes challenge family myths, power relationships and rules. You may be offered advice about changing behaviours or family roles.
Individual psychotherapy for one family member or partner may occasionally be offered in addition to family work to help with certain specific problems which are difficult to share with everyone.
Holidays And Absences
The therapist will give the group good notice of planned breaks, and you are asked to do likewise if you plan to be away. If you have to be absent at short notice, you can leave a telephone message between 9.00am and 4.45pm at Gaskell House reception on (0161) 273-2762.
Length Of Therapy
Family and Couple therapies vary greatly in the amount of time required to produce helpful change, from 2 or 3 sessions to regular meetings over a year or more.
Review Arrangements
Usually a review appointment will be offered around 3 months after you have finished therapy when you will have a chance to talk about your therapy and, if necessary, to discuss further treatment.
Child care
Unfortunately we do not have creche facilities at Gaskell House and so if you have a baby or small child who is not specifically involved in the therapy you will have to arrange for someone to look after him/her. In this form of psychotherapy it is not usually possible to have your child in the therapy room during sessions unless he/she is part of the family undergoing therapy.
Medication
The use of medication for psychological difficulties is not a bar to psychotherapy treatment, though we discourage the use of minor tranquillisers, such as valium. It is important that you do not stop any medication without discussing this with the G.P. or psychiatrist supervising it. Your therapist(s) will not supervise your medication.
Confidentiality
What happens in therapy is confidential. This is essential if you and your therapist(s) are to trust each other. Your therapist(s) will also respect confidentiality, with the proviso that he/she will discuss events from time to time with a small group of colleagues for the purpose of supervision. Your therapist(s), however, have a duty to inform your family doctor that you are receiving treatment at Gaskell House.
There are uncommon limited situations when the therapist must disclose therapy material elsewhere; the therapist will discuss this with you first. This may be when someone's safety is at risk, or to comply with the Children's Act.
Gaskell House Psychotherapy Center
Swinton Grove
Manchester M13 0EU
England
Tel: 0161 273 2762
Fax: 0161 273 4876
email: gmcgrath@psy.cmht.nwest.nhs.uk
This page hosted by
N.W.I.D.P.
North West Institute
of Dynamic Psychotherapy