At YMU, we offer gentle, respectful family counselling in Canberra to help families navigate conflict, improve communication, and reconnect. Whether you’re facing ongoing tension, adjusting to a new family dynamic, or simply wanting to feel closer to the people you love, our therapists are here to support you with care, insight, and compassion. We welcome families of all shapes and backgrounds, offering both in-person and online sessions to suit your needs.
Hurts, ruptures, and conflict are a normal part of any family. However, when the conflict or emotional distance between family members becomes pronounced, or isn’t properly repaired, rifts can develop that undermine loving, supportive relationships.
This form of therapy is for those who are trying to create close and healthy family relationships but feel that they are being derailed. We all need loving and supportive relationships in our lives to be our best, function well, and feel good about ourselves in the world.
Healthy child development happens within the context of loving, safe, and responsive family relationships.
Unhealthy dynamics can arise between two, three, or all family members. While hurts, ruptures, and conflict are a normal part of family life, when these issues become pronounced or remain unresolved, they can create rifts that undermine close and supportive relationships.
Therapists at YMU are trained in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and have worked therapeutically with families throughout their careers. Any family can benefit from understanding the underlying patterns that might be getting in the way of feeling close, loved, approved of, and supported.
We are increasingly working with families of all ages, as the benefits of family therapy are becoming better understood. Whether it’s adult children, siblings, or grandparents, our extended families are a vital part of our support network, and healing ruptures within any family relationship is important work.
Family therapy requires a flexible and responsive therapist to adapt to the issues presented. Our practitioners tailor the process to meet the needs of you and your family. We may see everyone together, then conduct individual assessments, or we may meet each member first—whatever is most appropriate. In some cases, individual support may be arranged for anyone who is struggling to help support their participation in the family therapy process.
Thankfully, in recent years, we have broken through the stereotypes of what a family “should” look like. In our practice, we work with a diverse range of families, all beautifully and uniquely formed.
We offer both relationship workshops and relationship counselling intensives to couples who are time poor or who are looking for focused help on their relationship.
