At Mind Health, our experienced family therapists provide a supportive environment where all family members can work together to overcome challenges, improve communication, and strengthen the bonds that unite you.

What is Family Therapy?

Family Therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy that views problems within the context of the family system. Rather than focusing on individual members in isolation, family therapy recognises that families operate as interconnected systems where each person’s actions affect everyone else.

Our skilled team of psychologists and therapists help families identify unhelpful patterns, develop healthier ways of relating, and create positive changes that benefit the entire family unit. Whether you’re dealing with specific challenges or seeking to enhance your family’s overall wellbeing, family therapy provides the tools and support needed for lasting transformation.

➞ LEARN MORE: Understanding How Therapy Can Transform Your Relationships

Who Can Benefit from Family Therapy?

Family Therapy can help families of all types and sizes, including:

• Traditional nuclear families facing communication difficulties or behavioural concerns
• Blended families navigating the complexities of step-relationships
• Single-parent families managing unique challenges and responsibilities
• Multi-generational families dealing with caregiving or cultural differences
• Adoptive families addressing attachment and identity issues
• Families with teenagers struggling with adolescent challenges
• Families experiencing major transitions such as divorce, relocation, or loss

Common Reasons Families Seek Therapy:

• Persistent family conflicts and arguments
• Communication breakdowns between family members
• Behavioural problems in children or adolescents
• Parenting challenges and disagreements
• Impact of mental health issues like anxiety or depression on family dynamics
• Coping with grief and loss as a family
• Managing the effects of trauma on family relationships
• Substance abuse or addiction within the family
• Major life transitions affecting family stability
• Work-related stress impacting family life

Our Approach to Family Therapy

At Mind Health, our family therapists use evidence-based treatments tailored to meet each family’s unique needs. We draw from various therapeutic approaches, including:

Systemic Family Therapy

We view the family as an interconnected system, helping members understand how their behaviours and communication patterns affect one another.

Structural Family Therapy

This approach focuses on reorganising family structure to establish healthy boundaries and hierarchies that support all members’ wellbeing.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Families

We help family members develop secure emotional bonds and learn to express needs and emotions constructively.

Narrative Therapy

Families explore and rewrite the stories they tell about themselves, creating more empowering narratives that promote healing and growth.

Key Focus Areas in Our Family Therapy Sessions:

• Improving Communication: Teaching active listening skills and helping family members express themselves clearly and respectfully
• Resolving Conflicts: Developing constructive conflict resolution strategies that honour everyone’s perspectives
• Strengthening Relationships: Building trust, empathy, and emotional connection between family members
• Setting Healthy Boundaries: Establishing appropriate limits that respect individual needs while maintaining family cohesion
• Enhancing Problem-Solving: Developing collaborative approaches to family challenges
• Processing Transitions: Supporting families through divorce, remarriage, death, or other significant changes
• Cultural Sensitivity: Honouring diverse family structures and cultural values in the therapeutic process

Integration with Other Services

Family therapy often works best when integrated with other therapeutic approaches. Depending on your family’s needs, we may recommend:

• Individual therapy for specific family members
• Couples therapy for parents or partners
• Child and adolescent therapy for younger family members
• Trauma-informed therapy when past experiences impact family dynamics

What to Expect in Family Therapy

Initial Assessment

Your first session involves meeting with the therapist to discuss your family’s concerns, goals, and history. We may meet with the entire family together or schedule individual meetings with family members to gain comprehensive understanding.

Session Structure

• Duration: Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes to accommodate multiple participants
• Frequency: Usually weekly or fortnightly, depending on your family’s needs
• Participants: Sessions may include all family members or specific combinations based on therapeutic goals
• Environment: Our welcoming clinic provides comfortable spaces designed for family sessions

Therapeutic Process

Family therapy is a collaborative journey where all members actively participate in creating positive change. Your therapist will:

• Facilitate productive discussions
• Help identify unhelpful patterns
• Teach new communication skills
• Guide conflict resolution
• Support emotional processing
• Assign between-session exercises to reinforce learning

Duration of Treatment

While every family is unique, most families experience meaningful improvements within 12-20 sessions. Some families benefit from brief interventions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy for complex issues.

Specialised Family Therapy Programs

Parenting Support Programs

We offer specialised support for parents dealing with:

• Challenging behaviours in children
• Co-parenting after separation
• Blended family dynamics
• Parenting children with special needs

Anger Management for Families

When anger disrupts family harmony, our specialised programs help family members develop emotional regulation skills and healthier expression of feelings.

Family Mindfulness Programs

Learn mindfulness techniques as a family to reduce stress, improve emotional awareness, and strengthen connections.

Funding Options for Family Therapy

Mind Health offers various funding options to make family therapy accessible:

• Private health insurance coverage (check your policy)
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• NDIS funding for eligible families
• Self-funded options with competitive rates

Online Family Therapy Services

Can’t make it to our Parramatta clinic? We offer secure online therapy sessions that bring professional family therapy directly to your home. Online sessions provide:

• Convenience for busy families
• Accessibility for those in remote areas
• Comfort of familiar surroundings
• Flexible scheduling options

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Therapy

Do all family members need to attend every session?

Not necessarily. While family therapy typically involves multiple family members, the therapist may sometimes work with specific individuals or subsystems (like parents or siblings) depending on the therapeutic goals. Your therapist will discuss the best approach for your family’s situation.

What if one family member doesn’t want to participate?

It’s common for some family members to feel hesitant about therapy initially. We can still work with willing family members and often find that reluctant members become more open to participating once they see positive changes. Our therapists are skilled at engaging resistant family members respectfully.

How is family therapy different from individual therapy?

While individual therapy focuses on one person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, family therapy examines relationships and interaction patterns between family members. It addresses how the family system functions as a whole and helps create changes that benefit everyone.

Can family therapy help with teenagers who won’t talk to their parents?

Yes, family therapy is particularly effective for improving parent-teen communication. Our therapists create a neutral space where teenagers feel heard and parents learn new ways to connect with their adolescent children. We help bridge communication gaps and rebuild trust.

Is family therapy suitable for young children?

Absolutely. We adapt our approach based on children’s ages and developmental stages. For families with young children, we use play-based techniques, art therapy, and age-appropriate activities to engage children meaningfully in the therapeutic process.

What issues are most commonly addressed in family therapy?

Common issues include communication problems, behavioural concerns in children, parenting disagreements, the impact of mental health issues on the family, adjustment to major life changes, grief and loss, and ongoing conflicts between family members.

How do you handle conflicts that arise during sessions?

Conflicts during sessions are normal and can be therapeutic opportunities. Our trained therapists maintain a safe, structured environment where conflicts can be explored constructively. We teach healthy conflict resolution skills and ensure all family members feel respected and heard.

Can family therapy help after a divorce?

Yes, family therapy can be invaluable for families navigating divorce or separation. We help families establish new dynamics, support children through the transition, improve co-parenting relationships, and address the emotional impact of family restructuring.

How long does family therapy typically take?

The duration varies depending on your family’s specific needs and goals. Some families see significant improvements in 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We regularly review progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Is what we discuss in family therapy confidential?

Yes, family therapy sessions are confidential with standard legal exceptions (such as safety concerns). We establish clear confidentiality guidelines at the beginning of therapy, including how information shared in individual meetings will be handled within the family context.

Why Choose Mind Health for Family Therapy?

Experienced Family Therapists

Our team of qualified psychologists has extensive training and experience in family therapy approaches, ensuring you receive expert care tailored to your family’s unique needs.

Evidence-Based Approaches

We use proven therapeutic methods that have been shown to create lasting positive changes in family dynamics and relationships.

Comprehensive Care

With our range of mental health services, we can address individual and family needs comprehensively, providing integrated care under one roof.

Convenient Location

Our Parramatta clinic is easily accessible from across Sydney, serving families from Auburn, Castle Hill, Blacktown, Strathfield, and surrounding suburbs.

Culturally Sensitive Practice

We honour diverse family structures, cultural backgrounds, and values, ensuring therapy respects and incorporates your family’s unique identity.

Take the First Step Towards Family Healing

Every family faces challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Family therapy at Mind Health provides the support, tools, and guidance needed to strengthen your family bonds and create lasting positive change.

Whether you’re dealing with specific conflicts or simply want to enhance your family’s wellbeing, our compassionate therapists are here to help your family thrive.

Ready to begin your family’s journey towards stronger, healthier relationships?

Contact Mind Health today on 1300 084 200 to schedule your initial family therapy consultation. Our friendly team will answer your questions and help you take the first step towards positive family transformation.

Mind Health provides comprehensive family therapy services to families across Sydney and Parramatta, including Auburn, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Blacktown, Castle Hill, Merrylands, Northmead, North Rocks, Strathfield, Wentworthville, Westmead, and surrounding suburbs.