What Is Family Therapy About?
Family therapy, or sometimes referred to as family counselling, is a form of treatment designed to treat specific issues that affect the psychological health of the family. Many families could suffer from a variety of different issues that are affected by their behaviours and environment. Not knowing the proper way of dealing with things could negatively affect a family’s dynamic and their relationship with one another—but that is where family therapy comes into the picture.
Typical Reasons For Seeking Family Therapy
Family therapy can help solve an extensive range of family problems and dynamics. Some of the common reasons for seeking therapy include:
- Marital problems
- Parental conflict
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Blended families
- Adolescent behaviour
- Difficulty conceiving and adoption
- The traumatic loss of a family member
- Child behaviour issues
- Communication issues
- Child separation anxiety
- Sibling conflict
Common Types Of Family Therapies
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to family therapy. This practice takes various forms such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Strategic Therapy, Structural Therapy, and Bowenian Family Therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy or CBT is an approach that is centred on behavioural modification by identifying cognitions, behaviours, and emotions displayed by each family member. By carefully examining the response system of each person and finding out why they may respond in that manner, it allows for better communication and changes the way people think or act in order to reduce or eliminate the problem entirely.
If you choose to undergo this family therapy technique, you and your family members may be assigned with tasks, homework, or specific behavioural programs that are specifically tailored for your family’s situation.
Systemic Family Therapy
This technique focuses on the entire family dynamic a whole as opposed to an individual’s behaviours and actions. It also dwells on unconscious communications and meanings as well. In Systemic Family Therapy, therapists will attempt to identify the problems within the family dynamic and try to uncover what may be causing these issues to arise.
A huge advantage to this method is that it allows families to overcome the problem together instead of pinpointing the blame on a specific person. Therapists may suggest new elements to incorporate in the family dynamic and find new ways to solve problems in a more effective manner.
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic Therapy may be the most upfront and straightforward form of family therapy there is. Since this method is mostly solution-based, therapists will take the lead and set out clear objectives and goals for the family and concentrate on problem-solving and communication.
While other forms of family therapy take the time to analyse any underlying problems a family may have from the past, therapists who specialise in Strategic Therapy believe that change can be achieved in the same way without having to deeply analyse the source of the problem. Homework and external tasks will still be given to families after their sessions in order to adjust and assess the way each family makes decisions and communicates.
Structural Family Therapy
Unlike Strategic Therapy, where the therapist takes the lead and facilitates the session, therapists who are experts in the field of Structural Therapy may “join” and observe the family as they discuss the issues they may be facing. In this process, a therapist would typically observe the family framework and take notes of the current family structure. Afterwards, tailored solutions and techniques will be given to the family members.
Bowenian Family Therapy
Unlike other techniques where all the family members are involved, Bowenian Therapy is most suitable for individuals who do not wish to involve members of their family in the process. This approach to family therapy focuses on the problem of a client who may be displaying symptoms of coming from a dysfunctional family.
Bowenian Therapy also helps individuals increase the self-differentiation of family members, reduce emotional reactivity amongst members of their family, as well as help clients develop new response systems and behaviours.
How Can Family Therapy Be Useful?
Reduce conflict within the family
Most families who seek family therapy services commonly struggle with family conflict and disputes, and one of the goals in therapy is to eliminate conflict within the family by promoting better problem-solving techniques. In family therapy, you will be able to learn different techniques and approaches to identify sources of conflict even before they begin, which ultimately leads to better problem-solving as a family.
By understanding your family dynamics and unhealthy patterns or behaviours, you can create new and healthier ways of interacting and solving conflicts.
Improve communication
Communication may seem like a simple thing to do, but families often forget the impact that communication has in order to combat conflicts and potential problems. Difficulty in communicating one’s feelings and emotions are quite common within families. But by cultivating an environment that allows for openness and vulnerability, could help members of a family to speak and be understood more efficiently.
Strengthen bonds
While conflict is a normal occurrence between spouses, siblings, and the family at a whole, too much conflict with no proper solutions can be toxic and unhealthy. Through family therapy, it will give you a chance to understand your family members better, help them express their feelings better and bring everyone together.
Builds self-esteem
People who live and grow with low self-esteem are usually more vulnerable to peer pressure and negative experiences in life, and your family dynamic and environment can play a part in that too. When parents are not motivated and have low self-esteem, it is likely that their children will have the same problem. A family therapist will go a long way in helping you restore this and helping the children and parents know and understand each other making them feel better about themselves and their value in the community
Company |
Dynamics Psychological Practice |
| Speciality | Dynamics Psychological Practice is a multilingual team of psychologists who are passionate about helping children, adults, couples and families from all walks of life.
Through Family Therapy, Dynamics Psychological Practice helps bring family members together to identify and learn how to cope with issues, build meaningful relationships and improve the family’s overall well-being.
Dynamics Psychological Practice provides intervention in areas, such as parent-child relationships, grief and loss, abuse (verbal/physical), life changes/transition, bullying, self-esteem, mood and anxiety, inter-racial issues, and re-marriage and acceptance, among others. |
| Website | https://www.dynamics-psychology.sg/ |
| Address | 583 Orchard Road #15-02 Forum The Shopping Mall Singapore 238884 |
| Contact | +65 6100 9235 (phone) | +65 9380 6207 (whatsapp) | [email protected] (email) |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
Family Therapy |
Olive Branch Counselling |
| Speciality | Family counselling at Olive Branch emphasises on family relationships as an important factor in psychological health. It is delivered to families, including children, who face challenges in their familial relationship. These include parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, family stressors, adjustments to separation, divorce and blended families.
Their counsellors can act as mediators, so everyone has a chance to voice their issues. Counselling offers clients an opportunity to discuss their concerns, clarify what would be helpful, and strengthen their ability to make the desired positive changes in their lives. |
| Website | https://olivebranch.com.sg/ |
| Address | 229 Mountbatten Road, Mountbatten Square #02-32 |
| Telephone | 8322 8861 |
| Operating Hours | 9:00am – 10:00pm daily |
Family Therapy |
Reconnect |
| Speciality | At Reconnect, they have a dedicated team of therapists with more than 20 years of experience working in mental health settings. They provide individual, couple and family therapy using a range of evidence-based approaches. They also provide therapy for both adults and children as individuals or couples and families as a group.
Some of the family issues that they tackle include the conflict between family members, divorce and infidelity, life cycle transition difficulties, and parenting children with special needs. |
| Website | http://reconnect.com.sg/ |
| Address | 321 Orchard Road, #08-06 Orchard Shopping Centre |
| Telephone | 6904 6028 |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday – Friday: 9:30am – 6:15pm Saturday: 9:00am – 2:00pm Sunday & Monday: Closed |
Family Therapy |
Alliance Counselling |
| Speciality | Alliance Counselling is a team of multilingual counsellors and psychologists. We provide empathetic professional support and guidance to men, women, couples, children, teenagers and families. Alliance also offers educational institutions partnering, clinical supervision, corporate workshops and psychological assessments.
Their goal is to assign the right therapist for each client so they feel comfortable and are able to pause in a peaceful and safe environment. Services:
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| Website | https://www.alliancecounselling.com.sg/ |
| Address | 501 Bukit Timah Road, #04-03 & #03-02 Cluny Court, Singapore 259760 |
| Telephone | 6466 8120 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 8:00pm Saturday: 8:00am – 5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am – 4:00pm |
Family Therapy |
Relationship Matters |
| Speciality | Relationship Matters are recommended for their gentle approach. They provide a non-judgmental space for individual adults, couples and families. They work with clients to support them through relationship issues including infidelity, trailing spouse anxieties, or other issues such as sexual problems, depression and addictions.
Services:
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| Website | http://www.relationshipmatters.com.sg/ |
| Address | 7500A Beach Road #07-323 The Plaza Singapore 199591 |
| Contact | Telephone: +65 9789 6991
Email: |
| Operating Hours |
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Family Therapy |
All in the Family Counselling Services |
| Speciality | The centre provides help for individuals and groups on matters including counselling for couples facing infertility issues, marriage crisis guidance, hypnotherapy, parenting workshops and even sleep training advice for exhausted parents of livewire babies and toddlers. |
| Website | https://allinthefamilycounselling.com/ |
| Address | 11 Collyer Quay, 17th Floor, The Arcade |
| Telephone | 9030 7239 |
| Operating Hours | Monday: 9:00am – 9:30pm Tuesday – Friday: 9:00am – 9:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 8:30pm Sunday: 10:30am – 8:30pm |
Family Therapy |
The Blue Pencil |
| Speciality | This husband-wife led centre offers understanding and compassionate advice to married couples, youngsters facing emotional struggles in school, families looking to strengthen relationships and to anyone who just needs someone to listen. |
| Website | http://thebluepencil.sg/ |
| Address | 19 Tanglin Road, #03-49, Tanglin Shopping Center |
| Telephone |
9625 5361
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| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm Saturday – Sunday: Closed |
Family Therapy |
REACH Counselling Services |
| Speciality | The Ministry of Social & Family Development provides services such as affair-recovery programs, marriage guidance, personal growth and healing sessions, and relationship counselling for families. |
| Website | https://www.reach.org.sg/services/ |
| Address | Various locations nationwide |
| Telephone | 6252 2566 |
| Operating Hours | Varies depending on the location |
Family Therapy |
International Counselling & Psychology Centre |
| Speciality | International Counselling & Psychology Centre (ICPC) was founded in 2015. The professional team brings over 40 years of collective experience providing supportive mental health services in an international environment, both to the expatriate and the local community and within the region.
Some of the issues tackled in their family therapy sessions include divorce and separation, blended families, expat living, family violence, and adjustment and transition issues. |
| Website | https://intlcounselling.com/ |
| Address | 360 Orchard Road #06-08 International Building |
| Telephone | 6734 6463 |
| Operating Hours | 9:00am – 4:30pm daily |
Family Therapy |
The Change Group |
| Speciality | Individuals, couples and families can book sessions with international psychologists trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), psychodynamics, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Gottman Couple therapy for help in areas including anxiety, depression, abuse, crisis and trauma. |
| Website | https://www.thechangegrouptherapy.com/ |
| Address | Various locations including Science Park Drive and Ford Avenue |
| Telephone | 9655 4424 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 9:00pm Saturday: 8:00am – 1:00pm Sunday: Closed |
Family Therapy |
Heart to Heart Psychotherapy |
| Speciality | Dr Jasmine Siang will help you uncover your true potential and lead you to the life that you want by applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques. Dr Siang works with a wide range of emotional and behavioural issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counselling to parenting support, couples counselling and beyond. |
| Website | http://www.hearttoheart.sg/ |
| Address | The Central, SOHO 1, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #09-19 |
| Telephone | 9792 2290 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Tuesday: 10:00am – 7:00pm Wednesday – Thursday: 9:30am – 6:00pm Friday: 10:00am – 7:00pm Saturday: 11:00am – 4:00pm Sunday: Closed |
Family Therapy |
NCSS Counselling Services |
| Speciality | Care Corner Counselling Centre Counselling and therapy services for marital relationships, including pre-marital, in-marriage, extra-marital and post-marriage situations. The centre does this through individual face-to-face counselling, couple counselling, group counselling, a helpline and support group services.
From relationship problems and lifestyle pressures, NCSS aims to provide emotional support to individuals, couples and families from all walks of life. |
| Website | https://www.ncss.gov.sg/GatewayPages/Social-Services/Families/Counselling-Services |
| Address | Various locations nationwide |
| Telephone | 6210 2500 |
| Operating Hours | Varies depending on the location |
Family Therapy |
Morning Star Community Services |
| Speciality | Morning Star provides counselling services to children, adolescents and adults, using various therapeutic approaches. They offer face-to-face counselling and online counselling.
Their therapists use a systemic framework with proven therapeutic techniques that explores patterns of relating and coping. Through the process, clients gain insight, come to terms with obstacles faced and explore inner resources to achieve the goals they desire. |
| Website | https://www.morningstar.org.sg/therapy/ |
| Address | Various centres nationwide |
| Telephone | 6285 1377 |
| Operating Hours | Varies depending on the location |
Family Therapy |
Petra Counselling |
| Speciality | Petra provides counselling and therapy services to those who are facing emotional, psychological, relationship and marital problems. Through our professional assistance and guidance, our clients resolve personal emotional or psychological problems successfully.
They apply different therapeutic modalities and techniques to help our clients uncover, confront and address the root causes of their unhappiness or behavioural problems, and in the process help our clients to achieve their objectives. |
| Website | http://petracounselling.com/ |
| Address | Tanglin Shopping Centre, #06-43/44 19 Tanglin Road |
| Telephone | (65) 9-100-0432 |
Family Therapy |
Scott Psychological Centre |
| Speciality | Scott Psychological Centre provides psychological assessment, psychotherapy and counselling in Singapore. They specialise in counselling for ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, educational and socio-emotional issues in children, as well as family therapy and parenting support.
Some of the issues they touch on in family therapy are parenting issues, third culture kids, infidelity counselling, and divorce and separation. |
| Website | https://www.scottpsychologicalservices.com/ |
| Address | 360 Orchard Road, International Building, #10-10 |
| Telephone | 6733 8919 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm Saturday: 9:00am – 3:00pm Sunday: Closed |
Family Therapy |
WINGS Counselling Centre |
| Speciality | WINGS Counselling Centre’s services are centred around family issues such as marital and couples therapy, family and parenting, youth, pre-school children, and family support as well. They customise our counselling and therapy services to suit the needs of each client based on the issues they face, their developmental stage, and their age. |
| Website | https://www.wingscounselling.org.sg/ |
| Address | 179 Bartley Road |
| Telephone | 6383 5745 |
| Operating Hours | Mondays – Fridays: 8:30am – 5:30pm Saturdays: 9:00am – 1:00pm |
Family Therapy |
Counselling and Care Center |
| Speciality | Counselling and Care Centre (CCC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to providing quality counselling and psychological counselling services, psychotherapy training and consultation to professionals in the mental health and social services. They are a Registered Society, affiliated to the National Council of Social Service and a member organisation of the Community Chest of Singapore.
Their focus is to enhance mental health and promote better marital and family relationships for effective living through counselling, consultancy, training, publications and programmes. |
| Website | https://www.counsel.org.sg/ |
| Address | Blk 536 Upper Cross Street #05-241 Hong Lim Complex |
| Telephone | 6536 6366 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pm Saturday – Sunday: Closed |
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