Family Therapy Brisbane
We’re here to help your family work through everything in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
An ideal approach for families seeking a supportive, relationship-focused therapy that emphasizes connection, communication, and intergenterational healing. Family therapy provides a safe space to explore dynamics and resolve conflicts, making it an excellent option for those who prefer a collaborative and holistic therapy approach.
Understanding Family Therapy
Systemic family therapy, or family systems therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on understanding and working with the dynamics and interactions within a family unit.
The primary belief is that families function as interconnected systems, and the behaviour of one family member can impact the entire family. This therapeutic approach aims to identify and address patterns of communication, roles, and behaviours that may contribute to challenges within the family.
How can Family Therapy help me?
Systemic family therapy empowers families to recognise and build upon their strengths, fostering healthier communication, understanding, and support.
By addressing issues within the family system, this therapeutic approach can lead to lasting positive changes that improve family functioning, dynamics, well-being, and mental health for all members involved. Family Therapy can help with:
Family Functioning: By addressing dysfunctional communication patterns and role conflicts, systemic therapy helps families develop healthier ways of interacting and problem-solving.
Family Dynamics: Therapy can lead to a more balanced distribution of power and responsibilities within the family, fostering greater flexibility in roles.
Well-being: As family members gain insights into each other's experiences and emotions, empathy and emotional support increase, contributing to the overall well-being of the family unit.
Mental Health: Systemic therapy can be particularly effective when a family member is experiencing mental health challenges. Involving the whole family creates a supportive environment that can reduce stigma and encourage the person's recovery.
Conflict Resolution: The therapy equips families with conflict resolution skills, enabling them to handle disagreements constructively and peacefully.
Individual Growth: Family therapy also recognizes the importance of individual growth and self-awareness. By supporting each member's personal development, the entire family benefits.
Preventative Approach: Even in relatively functional families, systemic therapy can be used preventatively to strengthen family bonds and address minor issues before they escalate.
Family Therapy can be a preventative approach, include narrative and story-based work, employ creative means to explore relationships and be a solution-focused therapy. Even in relatively functional families, systemic therapy can be used preventatively to strengthen family bonds and address minor issues before they escalate.
Are you ready for your family to feel seen, heard and supported?
Let’s work on things together. Our therapists are here to support your family through life’s challenges in a caring, safe and confidential environment.
Who is Family Therapy for?
Systemic family therapy focuses on the dynamics and interactions within the family system. Whilst it can be ideal to have all family involved, this isn't always the case. The therapist will guide you and your family on the best people to have in the room session by session.
Family therapy occurs whenever more than one member of a family is in the room, and even when individuals are discussing their family in their session! Often family therapy may occur between adult children and parents, or sometimes between adult siblings. Traditionally family therapy is often considered to be about having all the family in the room together, however, this isn’t always conducive to the therapeutic goals, and it’s up to those attending therapy and the Therapist as to how family therapy sessions unfold for each different family, honouring each family’s story and experiences, and valuing the relationships between each individual and the family together. The therapist's role is to create a safe and supportive environment where open communication and collaboration can take place to foster positive changes within the relationships between family members.
Systemic family therapy can be helpful for a wide range of individuals and families facing various challenges and situations. This therapeutic approach is versatile and can benefit:
Families in Crisis: Families dealing with significant crises, such as sudden loss, severe illness, or traumatic events, can benefit from systemic family therapy to navigate the emotional impact and develop coping strategies together.
Parent-Child Issues: Families struggling with parent-child conflicts, communication breakdowns, or parenting challenges can find support and guidance in systemic family therapy.
Blended Families: Systemic therapy can be valuable for blended families. It can help them adjust to new family structures and dynamics, navigate the “unwritten rules” of different households, build consistency for children, support communication and promote harmonious relationships.
Communication Problems: Families experiencing communication difficulties such as constant misunderstandings, frequent arguments, or avoidance of difficult topics, can benefit from learning healthier ways of expressing themselves.
Family Transitions: During major life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, moving, or welcoming a new family member, systemic therapy can help the family manage the changes and adapt as a unit.
Cultural or Generational Conflicts: Families with diverse cultural backgrounds or generational gaps might benefit from systemic family therapy to bridge differences and foster understanding.
Substance Abuse and Addiction: When a family member is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, systemic therapy can involve the whole family in the recovery process and address enabling behaviours.
Mental Health Challenges: Families dealing with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders, can find support and understanding through systemic family therapy.
Domestic Violence or Abuse: In situations involving domestic violence or abuse, systemic therapy can provide a safe space for addressing harmful dynamics and working towards change.
Behavioural Issues in Children/Adolescents: Families seeking to address behavioural challenges in their children or adolescents can benefit from systemic therapy, which helps them understand underlying factors and develop appropriate strategies.
Family Conflict and Estrangement: Families experiencing conflict or estrangement between members can use systemic therapy to rebuild connections and work through unresolved issues.
Parenting Support: Parents seeking guidance on effective parenting strategies and building stronger parent-child bonds can benefit from systemic family therapy.
Preventative Support: Even functional families can benefit from systemic therapy as a preventive measure to strengthen family bonds and address minor issues before they escalate.
Meet your Family Therapists
Family Therapy can support your family unit, including children, adolescents, and parents with various mental health and wellbeing challenges.
We are excited to introduce ourselves and put faces to names. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to speak to any of us about therapy or referrals.
Hello, I’m Brooke, a senior psychotherapist and Mental Health Social Worker. I have many years experience providing therapy, where I focus on trauma and attachment, child and youth mental health, perinatal mental health, and family therapy. I also offer Equine Facilitated Therapy as a unique approach to healing. I am here to support you on your path to holistic well-being.
Meet Brooke Shakspeare, Mental Health Social Worker and Senior Psychotherapist
Hi! I’m Sabrina, and I’m a Clinical Psychologist. I work with people of all ages with various needs, offering my skills in Mental Health and sharing my interests in attachment, developing Self and Personality, psychological assessments, and relationships across their lifespan.
Meet Dr Sabrina Chan, Clinical Psychologist
Are you ready to feel seen, heard and supported?
We’re here to hold hope when you can’t hold it yourself.
Not sure which therapy is right for you - no worries! Our team is here to support you, from identifying what support you need to getting your appointments organised.
Our clinic is conveniently located in Auchenflower.
Can’t make it into the clinic?
We’ve got you covered with telehealth support. Want to meet somewhere else more comfortable? We’re more than happy to meet you there too!
37 Bangalla St.,
Auchenflower 4066
0475 041 910
info@therapywell.com.au