Family Therapy Workshop

In this two-day workshop I focus on the ways in which we consult with families. Often when we consult with children and adolescents we include their family members in the therapy. This is not always so easy to do. Families might also consult with us when they find themselves experiencing trauma, loss, and transitions or having to deal with particular challenges or dilemmas that impact the family. How do we honour the voices of all family members when they gather in a therapeutic room? What are ways in which we might listen and respond that have the most potential to be helpful and supportive of them? What are the dilemmas that we often face in such contexts? I will attend to these dilemmas and use illustrations based on clinical experience to discuss possibilities.

Feedback from participants about what they found useful:

To learn about interviewing families. I found the whole issue of “belonging” very significant to explore. The practice of using the Statement of Position Map.

The use of many practical examples to clarify theory, especially the ways in which you used the genogram was helpful.

The presentation of theory and skills is done in such a way that learning really takes place; the use of practical examples reinforces this.

The practical doing the work. The understanding that doing family counselling doesn’t have to involve having all family members present. The understanding that the definition of family is much broader than the nuclear family unit.