What is Family Therapy? How do you Find Out if a Therapist is Qualified and Registered?

Family therapists work with families and family members. It is a myth that they only work with the whole family. They work with individuals, couples and other involved people such as doctors, teachers and family friends. Family therapists consider individuals within their family and other personal relationships. These people add meaning and support to life.

The types of problems family therapists work with include relationship difficulties, divorce and separation, illness in parents or children, bereavement, school and college difficulties and other life-changes that cause upset and pain.

Family therapists help individuals who feel they have been damaged by their family experiences.

They work with specific conditions (in association with other professionals) such as anorexia, bulimia, ADHD, depression, encopresis, enuresis and other conditions affecting family life.

Practising family therapists should have undergone specific training and belong to a professional body. In the UK, the main professional body is the AFT (Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice UK) and they should also be registered with the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy). You can contact either of these bodies to check if they are registered. You can use these organisations to find a registered family therapist in your area of the UK.

What is Family Therapy?