Family and Couple Therapy

Patient information

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Family and Couple TherapyThe Prudence Skynner Family and Couple Therapy clinic specialises in working with families and couples when an adult is experiencing psychological problems. We work with issues experienced by people in a variety of relationships including those in residential care.

What is Family and Couple Therapy?Family therapists work with couples and families to help them find ways of supporting and listening to each other so they can find a solution to difficulties.

The approach we take is to look for the strengths and positives in people’s lives while acknowledging how overwhelming difficulties can sometimes appear.

Family therapists are interested in how people act and talk together in the to-and-fro exchanges of everyday life. This includes thinking how culture and faith can influence people’s lives.

All the family therapists working for this Trust are registered with the United Kingdom for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

When is Family/Couple Therapy helpful?It can be helpful in a range of circumstances and can be offered either as a main treatment, or in conjunction with other forms of therapy.

There is evidence that working with couples and families is effective with: relationship distress, recovery from previous domestic violence, anxiety, mood disorders including depression, substance misuse, psychosis and adjustment to physical illness.

The Prudence Skynner Family and Couple Therapy ClinicThe clinic has a number of teams who work with families where an adult is experiencing psychological difficulties, and two specialist teams, one working with people with learning difficulties/physical disabilities and the second working with older adults.

The teams are multicultural and the clinic will provide a translator, if needed. You might work with one or two therapists, or even a small team.

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How do Family Therapists work?When your therapist first contacts you they will probably ask who you want to bring to the first session. Partners, parents, children, brothers, sisters, extended family, friends and carers can be brought along if you feel they are important in your life.

Sessions are about an hour long and may be at two/three week intervals and fall between six to twenty sessions - this is negotiated with yourselves.

The first session usually starts with asking everyone what they would like to see changed. Family and Couple Therapy aims to help people talk about issues that are important to them. Talking together can improve relationships. The therapist will not take sides and may offer their own ideas.

How do I know if Family/Couple Therapy is right for me? If you think the issues you and your partner or family are facing could be addressed by talking together, or thinking about how things in your close relationships affect your response to life’s stress, then family/couple therapy could work for you.

If you start therapy and find it does not suit you it is important to tell the therapist this.

They could then talk with you about what might be the alternatives.

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Are the sessions confidential? What is said during therapy is confidential. Unless you give your permission nothing you have said will be talked about except with the clinical team or supervisor.

However, if the therapist hears that you or someone else is at severe risk of harm they have a duty to share this information with another professional. The therapist will explain their concern, who they plan to contact, and what is likely to happen next.

How to make a referral?Letters of referrals are welcomed from GPs, Psychological Well Being Service and Community Mental Health Teams and other Trust Services. Referrals may occasionally be accepted from other sources after prior consultation. Please address referrals to Head of Family Therapy at the below address.

Contacting Family and Couple Therapy

The Prudence Skynner Family and Couple Therapy ClinicBicknell Centre, Building 19, Entrance 2 Springfield University Hospital61 Glenburnie Road, TootingLondon SW17 7DJ

020 3513 6195

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Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up to date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication, or third-party information or websites included or referred to in it.

Contacting the TrustTrust Headquarters, Springfield University Hospital Building 15, 2nd Floor, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, Springfield University Hospital,61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ

020 3513 5000

In an emergency

• Mental Health Support Line: 0800 028 8000 (for existing patients of the Trust) 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hours Saturday and Sunday.

If you are worried about your immediate safety or have thoughts about hurting yourself or other people:

• Call 999 for emergency services or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

• If you are not currently a patient of ours you should speak to your GP (family doctor).

• You can also contact the Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 (they’re there to listen).

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We are the leading provider of mental health services across south west London and a beacon of excellence for national mental health services. We serve a diverse community of people in the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.

In keeping with the Equality Act 2010 we do not discriminate against people on the grounds of age, race, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership or pregnancy and maternity.

Help us make our services even betterThe views of patients, their carers, friends and families are at the heart of improving the way we deliver our services. We are committed to delivering high quality care. Your feedback will help us understand what we do well and what we can do better.

If you would like to give us feedback please contact:• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): 020 3513 6150

• Feedback online at: https://feedback.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk

• Patient Opinion: www.patientopinion.org.uk

If you require this document in an alternative format please call: 020 3513 6006

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS TrustSpringfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJTelephone: 020 3513 5000Website: www.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk

Copyright © 2016 South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS TrustPublished and distributed by: Communications DepartmentPublished: December 2016 Review date: December 2019 Ref: SWL543All information correct at time of printing

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