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 worker about things that are causing concern. The family worker 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.

When working with families we can 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 meetings 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 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 (written or computerised). 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.

All our therapists act according to professional codes of conduct. You should be assured that your therapist will always be sensitive, respectful and non-judgemental.

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

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

If you have any questions please ring us or speak to your Care Co-ordinator.

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

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 (click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab)
• telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672
• email complaints@cntw.nhs.uk 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 from staff.

Your local GP surgery should be able to provide self-help or information leaflets about CBT. 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:
• Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
• Self help guides, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Beating the Blues – a computerised CBT programme for depression and anxiety
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(information on PTSD and its treatments).
• Mind factsheets
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
– North of Tyne Tel: 0800 032 02 02
– South of Tyne Tel: 0800 328 4397

•Launchpad
Anderson House, Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6XA
Tel: 0191 233 0382
A local service user led group.

• Recovery College Collective (Re-Co-Co)
Anderson House, Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6XA
Email: info@recoverycoco.com
Tel: 0191 261 0948

• OCD Support Group
Tel: 0191 477 8310 or 0191 226 8776
Email: ne1ocd_group@yahoo.co.uk
Open to anyone over the age of 18 who has OCD or suffers from an OC spectrum disorder such as compulsive skin picking or BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder). The group meets every Monday 6pm – 9pm (except Bank Holidays) at Molineux Street NHS Centre, Molineux Street, Heaton Park Road (Shields Road end), Byker, NE6 1SG.

• 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) Tel: 0303 123 1146 or freephone 0800 652 2861

– South of Tyne Initial Response Service (for people living in Sunderland and South Tyneside) Tel: 0303 123 1145 or freephone 0800 652 2867

– Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (for people living in Newcastle and Gateshead) Tel: 0191 814 8899 or Freephone 0800 652 2863

– Cumbria Crisis (for people living in North Cumbria) 0300 123 9015 or 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

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
Psychological therapist in family Interventions/Family Therapist
Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
1 Benton View, Forest Hall, Newcastle, NE12 7JJ
Tel: 0191 287 6100

Sunderland and South Tyneside
Graeme Smith
Clinical Lead OT and Family Therapist
Houghton Day Unit, Hetton Road, Houghton Le Spring, DH5 8NB
Tel: 0303 123 1145

Emily Barber
Psychological Therapist in Family Interventions
Sunderland Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Wellfield Day Unit, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB
Tel: 0303 123 1145

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

Gateshead
Caroline Waugh
Psychological Therapist in Family Interventions
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
2021 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/570/0121 January 2021 V7
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2024