Family Therapy – an information leaflet

We are a small group of Family Therapists who offer therapeutic support to individuals who are troubled by a mental health problem and to their relatives or others who are close to them (for instance, partners or close friends).

When a person is experiencing mental health problems this will also have an impact on the lives of those who care about them. This may include a partner, relatives, close friends and important others. The family team aims to offer meetings where those who are concerned about the situation can talk together in a relaxed manner. These meetings focus on people’s strengths and on finding new ways of approaching difficulties and moving forward.
We recognise that the distress that people feel in their personal and family lives is often related to social injustices. Therefore, we aim to work in a way that recognises the influence of gender, age, race, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexuality and disability.

There is a well established body of research showing that family meetings can be helpful in a variety of ways. These might include:
• Sharing ideas and information.
• Thinking together about new ways of understanding and dealing with problems and
symptoms.
• Discussing hopes and plans for the future.
• Drawing upon family members’ knowledge and experience.
• Providing support to family members who are under stress.

The meetings provide an opportunity to talk together with the family therapist about things that are causing concern. The family therapist aims to talk with people in a way that feels relaxed and safe, and which helps to think about things differently and find new ways of tackling difficulties.

We work with families in different ways depending on the needs and preferences of family members. We will talk with you about the different options at a first appointment.

Sometimes find it very helpful to work as a small team of therapists (2-3) as this can increase the range of ideas available in finding a way forward. One member of the team will talk with you while one or two others listen. Then you will have the opportunity to listen and comment on the reflections and ideas that team members will share with you.

Everyone’s situation is unique so there is no set plan for the discussion. Family therapy generally last an hour. There might be a single meeting, or they might occur regularly for a while. This will depend on the needs and preferences of the people involved. We will discuss the option of a team with you prior to your first appointment.
The team would be happy to discuss any questions at the meetings.

We believe that it is often helpful for the whole family or all of those who are concerned about the situation to come together. At the same time, it is important that people don’t feel pressurised to take part, and the meetings can still be extremely helpful when not everyone is present.

The team can also offer appointments to individuals and to couples who are seeking help with the impact of a mental health problem on their relationships or family life.

Family therapy meetings take place within various locations across the Trust. You will be invited to attend your nearest service or home visits can be an option. Should you be unable to attend this venue, please contact us to discuss this further.

As part of our assessment process, and to help us plan your care, whilst in treatment, we need to gather information. It is sometimes also necessary to share information about you with other people involved in your care and appropriate colleagues within this team. The purpose of this is to ensure that we are able to make the most beneficial decisions about your care. At the point of assessment and again if you begin treatment with us, you will be asked to consent to this. Under normal circumstances we will not share information about you without your consent. Another way in which your case will at times be discussed is with appropriate colleagues within the team for the purpose of supervision. All of our therapists are supervised. This is to ensure high professional standards are continually being met. Again, we will ask your consent for this. Any information gathered will be kept in your Health Record. We have a duty to keep information about you private and confidential. As such, your Health Record will be required to be stored safely and securely. Also, we will only seek or share information that will be relevant to your assessment and helpful in planning your care. Where we seek or share information, those colleagues will be bound by the same rules of confidentiality.

There are certain circumstances when it does become necessary to share information without your consent, in accordance with Trust policy, common law obligations and the Data Protection Act (2018). Where there is a concern that you, a child or young person or other person are at risk of harm we are legally bound to share this with other appropriate professionals and this can be done without your consent. If possible, however, we would strive to discuss this with you first of all. The information shared will be kept to the minimum necessary and will be handled under the terms of the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice.

There are certain circumstances when it does become necessary to share information without your consent, in accordance with Trust policy, common law obligations and the Data Protection Act (2018). Where there is a concern that you, a child or young person or other person are at risk of harm we are legally bound to share this with other appropriate professionals and this can be done without your consent. If possible, however, we would strive to discuss this with you first of all. The information shared will be kept to the minimum necessary and will be handled under the terms of the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice.

If we would benefit from the use of an interpreting service when meeting you, please let us know and we will make arrangements.

Contact Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33
Website: www.traveline.info/

If you have any questions please contact us.

You can find out more about how Family Therapists work by visiting the Association of Family Therapists website

What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint about the service?
If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:
• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust
website www.cntw.nhs.uk/contact/complaints/
• telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust
via email is sent at your own risk

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.

You can provide feedback in the following ways:
– the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at
www.cntw.nhs.uk/poy
– complete a Points of You survey, available on wards,
reception areas or from staff
– other options for sharing your feedback and experience
www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

PALS
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne
Tel: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: [email protected]
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

Please contact us if you would like a list of related reading materials or if you would like us to send you any further information. In the meantime, if you have access to the internet, here are some useful websites:

• Association for Family Therapy – www.aft.org.uk
• Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust www.cntw.nhs.uk
• Self help guides, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust www.cntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp
• Royal College of Psychiatrists www.rcpsych.ac.uk
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence www.nice.org.uk
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116
(information on PTSD and its treatments).
• Mind factsheets www.mind.org.uk

• Recovery College Collective (Re-Co-Co)
1 Carliol Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6UF
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0191 261 0948

• If you need urgent help with your mental health or learning disability, you can contact:
– Northumberland Initial Response Team (for people living in Northumberland and North Tyneside) Freephone 0800 652 2861

– South of Tyne Initial Response Service (for people living in Sunderland and South Tyneside) Freephone 0800 652 2867

– Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (for people living in Newcastle and Gateshead) Freephone 0800 652 2863

– Cumbria Crisis (for people living in North Cumbria) Freephone 0800 652 2865

• MIND infoline 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Monday to Friday)

• SANEline 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm-10.30pm, every day)

• Rethink Mental illness Advice Line 0300 5000 927 (9.30am-4pm, Monday to Friday

• Recovery College contact details
– Newcastle: 0191 261 0948
– South Tyneside: 0191 427 0011
– Sunderland: 0191 553 2255
– Durham: 0191 384 3895
– Durham: 0191 441 5738

Further information can be found at www.cntw.nhs.uk/recovery

Association for Family Therapy

Newcastle
Kevin Hawkes
Family Therapist
Centre for Specialist Psychological Therapies
Benfield House
Benfield Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4PF
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Joanne Patterson
Family Therapist
Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
1 Benton View
Forest Hall
Newcastle, NE12 7JJ
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Emily Barber
Family Therapist
Sunderland Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Wellfield Day Unit
Ryhope
Sunderland, SR2 0NB
Tel: 0191 287 6100

North and South Tyneside
John Simons
Psychological Therapist in Family Interventions/Family Therapist
Community Treatment Team(CTT)
Palmer Community Hospital
Wear Street, Jarrow
Tyne and Wear, NE32 3UX
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Gateshead
Caroline Waugh
Family Therapist
Gateshead CTT and Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Dryden Education Centre
Evistones Road
Gateshead, NE9 5UR
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Northumberland
Estelle Clinton
Family Therapist
Northumberland CTT
Greenacres Centre
Green Lane
Ashington, NE63 8BL
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre

2024 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref, PIC/570/0124 January 2024 V8

www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2027

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