Parenting never stops but it does undergo changes. Many of the families who come to the Institute are struggling with issues to do with inter-generational matters as well as the impact of wider social, cultural and political issues (such as discrimination) and life experiences on family life. These may be long-standing or of recent development.
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Often there have been misunderstandings and hiccups in communication. A family therapy team can help with conversations that facilitate better understanding, good communication and re-connection of relationships crucial for mental health. The therapy team might also support family members to talk about the links between wider challenges impacting on the family, and the difficulties families experience.
Increasingly families may have to accommodate several generations’ needs simultaneously. A systemic approach allows all voices to be heard.
We live in a diverse and ever changing society where ideas about leaving home and staying connected are constantly changing. The impact of social challenges such as that brought on by austerity and/or unexpected circumstances in society such as Covid 19 bring unforeseen demands in parenting. We can help you think about how you respond to challenging times in a way that helps maintain relationships and challenges the difficult circumstances and /or unhelpful societal ideas/beliefs/experiences, that lead to family difficulties in the first place.
Families take on many forms and structures that we actively embrace and celebrate, such as nuclear, extended, blended, sole parent, heterosexual, same sex families, adopted and foster cared children, or children being raised by other carers as in Guardianship and Kinship Care. We are also aware of the challenges of living in what can at times be an oppressive society, on families of all kinds, but particularly familes that are the most marginalised, as well as families who experience pressures and stresses linked to their position in wider society.Thinking systemically can open up new ways of thinking and being together, as well as ways of challenging oppression.
