Families are great but relationships can also be difficult to manage when reality sets in. In our family counseling, we guide you through the issues you have related to your family and its relationships.
Family counseling and family therapy
Family counseling, also known as family therapy, is a form of therapy that focuses on family relationships. Both the relationships between parents and children, but also other people connected to the family, such as bonus parents, bonus children or grandparents. Many families in Ireland avail of family counseling and family therapy.
Family relationships change a lot over time, not least as children grow up. This dynamic time in life creates challenges. It can be helpful to talk to a family therapist or family counselor as it is sometimes called.
The role of the family counselor is to lead the conversation and allow everyone in the family to speak and share their perspectives on the problems. Common challenges in the family are that parents and children speak ‘different languages’ and that they may not always be able to get to the point. Common challenges in communication revolve around the increasing use of mobile phones and computers, which often take up attention and make it difficult to talk undisturbed.
What set our therapist apart was her genuine empathy and personal insight. Not only did she possess a deep understanding of neurodiversity, but she also shared personal experiences that resonated with us, creating an instant connection and fostering a sense of trust!
Benedetta Osarenk
Our counsellors
Click here to view all psychologists, therapists, and coaches.
13 frequently asked questions and answers about family counseling
What is the purpose of family counseling?
Family counseling aims to help families improve their communication, resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. The aim is to promote a healthy and supportive family environment.
When is it appropriate to seek family counseling?
Family counseling is appropriate when the family is experiencing conflict, communication problems or other challenges that affect their relationships and well-being. It can also be helpful during major changes such as separation, divorce or loss.
What types of problems can family counseling help with?
Family counseling can help with a wide range of problems including conflict. This could be communication difficulties between parents and children, challenges with teenagers, divorce issues, loss and grief, or other family-related challenges.
How long does a typical family counseling process take?
The length of a family counseling process varies depending on the specific needs and goals of the family. Some problems can be resolved relatively quickly while others may require a longer time commitment.
What kind of methods and techniques are used in family counseling?
The therapist uses various methods and techniques that promote communication, conflict resolution and understanding between family members. This may include role plays, exercises and open discussions.
Can individual problems be addressed during family counseling?
Yes, individual problems can be discussed and explored during family counseling, especially if they affect the whole family. The therapist can help find solutions and strategies that benefit the whole family. Sometimes the therapeutic process can lead to individual therapy for individual family members. This is a need that can be identified during the process. In consultation with the therapist, a decision will be made as to how this can best be achieved.
What happens if a family member is reluctant to participate in family counseling?
If a family member is reluctant to participate in family counseling, it is important to respect their feelings. The therapist can help explore possibilities and options to involve them in a way that feels comfortable.
Can children be involved in family counseling?
Yes, children can be involved in family counseling, especially if their perspectives and feelings are relevant to the family’s challenges. The therapist will adapt methods and conversations appropriately based on the child’s age and maturity level.
How can the family continue to use the skills and strategies they have learned in therapy after the end of the process?
The therapist will give advice and suggestions on how the family can implement the skills and strategies they have learned in therapy. To break old patterns, new regular exercises may be recommended. The therapist can also provide new tools or examples of a ‘new language’ where an open communication with a so-called ‘I-message’ between the family and the therapist is possible. ‘I-message’ between family members can be applied.
What if the family feels that the therapy is not working for them?
If the family feels that the therapy is not producing the desired results, it is important to communicate this with the therapist. They can adjust the approach or suggest alternative strategies. If the family wants to change therapists or coaches at Lavendla, that’s fine. Talk to us and we will help you.
Can family counseling be helpful even if the family has no acute problems?
Absolutely, family counseling can help families to strengthen their relationships and prevent future conflicts. It can be a preventive measure to promote a healthy and supportive family environment.
How do I know if family counseling is right for my family?
Family counselling may be appropriate if you are experiencing challenges or conflicts that affect your family’s well-being and harmony. An initial consultation with a family counsellor can help you decide if this is the right step for you.
How much does family counseling at Lavendla cost?
At Lavendla, the price is set by the therapists and coaches. It typically costs €60-120 per session. In family therapy, the sessions are usually longer as several people need to have the opportunity to be heard. You decide how much time is needed for each session and how many sessions are needed in consultation with the therapist. It may vary depending on how many family members are involved. The first meeting usually focuses on getting to know each other, defining the challenges you face, and then making a plan for how you will work together to achieve your goals.
Family therapist, family therapist and family counselor
Family counselling is led by a family therapist, also known as a family worker or family counsellor. There are many names for a dear child. The difference between these terms and titles is primarily linked to the person’s training.
The role of the family therapist is primarily to listen and lead the conversation so that everyone can give their views on the situation. When everyone has had a chance to speak, the family counselor can ask questions in order to create greater understanding, or get the family members to put their thoughts and feelings into words in a different way. Especially for children, it can be difficult to put their feelings into words.
3 tips for family counseling from our counselor
- See a counselor when you have problem children — This is actually a false statement. When working with families, the child is never the ‘problem’. It is the adults who are responsible for how the family lives together and how the family feels. Together with the therapist, you find out how the family members experience their everyday life and what you can do to break the negative patterns that may have arisen within the family. The term problem child does not refer to children with various mental health diagnoses. In these cases, the diagnosis may be a cause of difficulties in the family’s daily life. This can also be a reason to see a family counselor.
- Listen to each other — With a therapist, there is room to talk openly and honestly with each other. The therapist will help you get to the point and be listened to. You will also be helped to become an ‘active listener’. It is easier said than done to actually hear what other people are saying. We all know that we sometimes ’embed’ our message. Maybe it is too embarrassing to express your deepest wishes? The therapist helps you to hear the subtle messages.
- Be honest! — What should be so simple can be so difficult. What if all people were in touch with their will and opinions? However, this is not the case. It is difficult for many people to know what they want. Then you have to have the courage to express your wishes and opinions. There are many different kinds of obstacles here. Maybe the family has a kind of language or attitude towards each other that is not conducive to honesty? The therapist will support you to get in touch with the will and then be able to communicate it. All therapy is about being as honest as possible. If clients answer ‘right’ to questions just to be compliant, there is a so-called ‘as-if therapy’. This does not get to the root of the difficulties. With honest answers, which may be uncomfortable, there is room to address the problems and find new strategies to make everyone feel better.
