Family-focused therapy

What we do

Single Session Family Therapy (SSFT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps families to identify and address worries or difficulties. This can lead to improvements in mental health and wellbeing.

SSFT can help to shift a “stuck” pattern of interaction, improve communication and create a more hopeful outlook. We work with families because they are integral to children and young people’s mental health recovery journey.

We consult with families who want to work hard to create change in their lives. People often believe that to be effective, therapy has to take a long time but this is a myth. Through research and experience, we have found that for over 50% of families, one session is enough. For others, more support is provided by other services either at ICYAMHWS or in the community.

What to expect

Your SSFT journey will begin with an intake phone call. During this discussion, clinicians explore concerns, assess treatment suitability and “seed change” by inviting you to consider what could be different or better for you and your family. You will receive a pre-session questionnaire via email to prompt you to start thinking about the issues your young person and family want to address. 

In the family therapy session, all voices are heard and families join with clinicians to develop shared understandings of mental health concerns. Clinicians identify strengths within your family that can be used to support your child or young person moving forward and/or to improve family functioning.

Approximately four weeks after the family session a clinician will ring you to see what changes have been made and to determine if your family needs more support.

What to bring

Every time you come

• Any relevant information that would be helpful for us to have, including correspondence from other health professionals or information about medication you may be prescribed

For a clinic appointment

• Medicare Card or other identifiable information
• Any information that has been requested to be brought to the appointment or that you think would be helpful for us to have
• Some of our programs require questionnaires to be completed prior to an appointment

Clinic times

Clinic consultants

• Dr Paul Denborough: Psychiatry
• Dr Danny Cheah: Psychiatry