Family therapy, or systemic therapy, is a specific type of therapy employed by those working with families or couples in intimate relationships. It is based on the view that every family is a group (or system) which behaves in a particular way and is preserved by each of its members. Therefore, the mental health and behaviour of each family member is influenced by, and contributes to, the family group and character.

Because relationships in families are intertwined in this way, change in an individual member can influence the family, and change in the family can influence the individual. The focus of systemic therapy is on the relationship between different members and how each person contributes to the family system.

Family therapists look at relationships, patterns and systems of relationship in the family as a whole; they are interested in how people respond to each other. For example, what happens to a child when their mother argues with their father; how the whole family as a group is managing a painful or shocking situation; or, what is the impact of a mental health condition or substance abuse problem within the family system?

The family or couple is seen as the client, rather than the individuals within them. A family therapist will support family members or couples to listen fully to each other and talk openly together. They may meet with the whole family together, as well as spending time with different family members, such as a father and daughter, brother and sister.

Family therapy is typically more brief than individual therapy, usually between 6-8 sessions. The sessions however are likely to be longer than individual sessions, and are likely also to be more expensive.

All family members may attend some sessions; other sessions may be dedicated to one relationship or individual within the system.

'Family' can mean any group of people who lives are intertwined and who wish to work on the health of their group.

Ideally, all members will engage with therapy, although it's natural that some members may be more keen than others. Family therapy can still go ahead without certain members. The systemic model emphasises that change in one part of the system will still have an effect on the whole, so it doesn't mean that the therapy will be ineffective.