Families are so integral to who we are and how we see ourselves that it can be extremely difficult when there is disharmony between members. Home should be a place of love, fun and connection but can become a space of tension when problems arise and trying to help everyone ‘get along’ can feel like a huge undertaking. Sometimes problems engulf a whole family, these can be due to loss, a breakdown in communication, a significant change. They might start with one person and effect a whole family or the whole family may be hit by the problem equally. Either way, we find that working with a family together (rather than seeing each person individually) is a much more effective way to help overcome the problems families face in life.

We recognise that there is an evolutionary importance to our development as social creatures who operate in groups and develop close and meaningful attachments to others. Our biology, neurology and psychology all indicate our need for people and, as many of us know, when these relationships are working well (through understanding, acceptance, collaboration, communication, care, affection, safe challenge, and consideration) we are stronger and more able. This can be quite the opposite when our relationships are adding to or exacerbating the problem. It can leave us doubly lost, stuck or struggling.

In our experience families get stuck in ways of interacting that can lead to problems arising over time; perhaps these relate to regular arguments, falling outs or people ‘walking on eggshells’ at home. There can be lots of reasons why these problems arise; perhaps people have stopped talking to one another, one person feels put out by another or someone feels overshadowed or replaced. These are completely normal (albeit challenging) rhythms for a family to find itself in. We find that by helping a family talk about itself, that is, the people within the family sharing and listening to one another about what it is like to be in this family, families can start to take back control of the problems that have encompassed or directed them in the past. Through using talking and creative methods with the families we meet in Kaleidoscope; we help them build better and more meaningful relationships with one another, help them start being the kind of family they want to be and work together to take their lives back from the problem.

At Kaleidoscope we provide a safe and supportive talking space which enables families to find new and different ways to talk and listen with one another. We privilege peoples’ relationships and are experienced in helping people communicate in ways that are more useful to them, without falling into the stresses and arguments that can occur at home. Our aim is to help families get on better and provide help as early on as possible to prevent problems from becoming entrenched. Most families do not need more than 10 sessions with us, and we work in a way that is bespoke to you and your family as your family is unique.

All of our family therapists are qualified as Systemic Family Psychotherapists or Systemic Practitioners, meaning they have completed a postgraduate training in Systemic Family Therapy, often after having a former care professional qualification and years of experience working as a Clinical Psychologist, Social Worker, Nurse, Counsellor, etc. We ensure that our therapists are suitably qualified and experienced so that our clients are ensured to get a quality service. Our therapists are experts in working with people’s communication, stories and patterns of interaction in a way that can help bring harmony back to a home.

Unfortunately, ‘family therapist/couples counsellor’ are not protected terms, meaning that anyone can call themselves this even if they have no qualification or one that is not accredited or regulated by a governing body. Each of our therapists has completed an Association of Family Therapy (AFT) accredited course and is a registered with a suitable accrediting body.

You can check out our FAQs (including our fees) by clicking here, or if you think we might be the right service to help you then please get in touch via the box below and book in for a free telephone consultation with Paul himself.