For many referred clients, family members are a valuable resource in the process of change. Members themselves may also want help to see how family relationships can change in more positive directions. Some of the staff at the Marlborough are employed as Family Therapists and many others have Family Therapy training that enables them to be very useful to families as a whole.
For some clients the majority of the work that is done on the problems they bring is done within a whole family setting. For others a combination of subgroups and individuals within the family may be seen. How this is done is decided between the therapists and the clients. Commonly, families are invited to talk about the things which concern them and to decide what they would wish to change or to resolve. The therapist, who may work on their own or with one or two colleagues, will then work out with the family a way of addressing these issues.
Sometimes, and with the permission of the family, the meeting will be video recorded. This will be for the therapist(s) to review what they were doing, or it may be used as part of training. In either case the confidentiality and storage of any videotape will be fully discussed with the family.
Couples of any sexual orientation can be seen if there are specific relationship issues which are best addressed in this context. Couples where one partner may have major mental health problems can also often benefit from being seen jointly.