Family Therapy

At Family Works we want all children in Aotearoa New Zealand to safe, all communities to be connected and all families and whānau to be strong and thrive!

This might sound simple, but we know families are complex. Sometimes it seems like family members just can’t get along. This could be the result of a challenging time or simply day-to-day life.

Family therapy is a type of counselling that supports families to work through issues and become a stronger family unit.

Family Works’ family therapy can support families of all shapes and sizes; couples, blended families, carers, parents, children, step families, extended family members, grandparents…

Family therapy can help you work through challenges, such as:

conflict and issues that mean family members are not getting along
difficulties in communicating or understanding other points of view
different parenting styles and expectations
concerns about illness or trauma
changes in family circumstances
grief and loss
teenagers and/or children experiencing challenging times.

What can I expect?

In family therapy each family member involved will have the opportunity to talk about their personal situation and goals.

Family Works counsellors will work with you to help you understand your own thoughts, feelings and behaviour and those of other family members.

We can support your family to work out what needs to change, to identify strengths and resources you can access and to find solutions to the challenges you’re facing.

The number of therapy sessions you will need depends on the complexity of the problem(s). Every whānau is different. Some families benefit from just a single session, although most will need a number of sessions.

Accessing family therapy

Family Works offers family therapy in Taranaki and Manawatu. In Whanganui, Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa we can offer family support through counselling and parenting education. In some cases the sessions are able to be subsidised or provided free of charge thanks to funding from government and the community.

If you would like to discuss the family therapy or other family support offered by Family Works call us on 0800 FAM WORKS to talk to one of our friendly team.

Read more about making a referral to Family Works.