Association for Family Therapy

Association for Family Therapy

'' AFT, the leading professional organisation for those working with families in the UK, is delighted to be supporting National Family Week. We warmly welcome this new event because we know how important family relationships are to people's health and happiness, not just for a week but all life long. ''
Dorothy Ramsay, Chair

Website: www.aft.org.uk

At AFT we know there's much to celebrate about family life in the UK. We also know that family life can be tough sometimes. Families can feel the strain when a child or adult experiences serious difficulties or when there are differences between family members. Close relationships sometimes fuel problems. Sometimes they break down under the strain. Yet they can also be key to helping people negotiate and recover from difficulties and make important changes in their lives.

"At the beginning of family therapy we were in the habit of blaming each other for what had happened in the past and were unable to move on. Now we have been able to put the past behind us, and deal with what is happening in the present. It's helped me and my family all move forward." - The R Family

AFT's members include Family and Systemic Psychotherapists (also known as family therapists) and other professionals working with families and family members experiencing difficulties. They work in many different settings in public and independent services, enabling family members to understand each other's experiences and views, express and explore their thoughts and emotions, appreciate each other's needs, build on family strengths and make useful changes.

Family-focused work is proving helpful for children, young people and adults experiencing an extraordinarily wide range of difficulties and circumstances, including:

  • Family communication problems
  • Couple relationship difficulties
  • Child and adolescent behaviour difficulties
  • Child, adult and older adult mental health problems
  • Domestic violence
  • Illness and disability in the family
  • Separation, divorce and step-family life
  • Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders
  • Fostering, adoption and the needs of 'looked after' children
  • Self-harm
  • Drug and alcohol misuse
  • The effects of trauma
  • Difficulties related to aging... and much more.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to help a family free up their strengths; sometimes difficulties are more complex and families may need longer to find solutions that work for them.

Occasionally, people may need support to move away from dangerous or harmful relationships. Often, important changes can be made as family members and others in close relationship work together for a better future.

"We have all found family therapy extremely useful. I have been going through a difficult time. Now we have begun to listen to what each other feel." - Family 'A'

If you'd like to find out more about family therapy services for couples, children and families in your area, please ask your GP or other health or social care professional or visit the AFT website.

AFT, the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK,
7 Executive Suite, St James Court, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington Cheshire WA4 6PS.
Tel 01925 444414.
Registered Charity No. 1063639