Family Therapist
What is a Family Therapist and what do they do?
Family Therapists work with families/whanau who are experiencing distress. 'Family' can mean a group of people who define themselves as such, and who care about, and care for each other. Family therapists can come from a variety of training and clinical backgrounds including nursing, social work, psychology, psychiatry and counselling. Usually Family Therapists will have also received some specific training in family therapy, and will have a specific qualification relating to it.
What do Child and Adolescent Mental Health and AOD Family Therapists do?
- support change within individuals and also in their relationships in the family/whanau and beyond
- help family members find constructive ways to help each other
- work in ways that acknowledge and respect individuals' different beliefs and stories, and explore possible ways forward
What's great about this job?
- helping family/whanau move on and develop relationship skills
- seeing families make improvements in how they get along with each other
- seeing healthy relationships develop in families
"The kids, I like the fact that hopefully if I can change the hierarchy in a family for children, I can then have some hope that I can change other parts of that child’s environmental and school system." Lee Beston, Marinoto Child and Family Unit, Waitemata DHB, Auckland
"The thing I like best is building relationships with families and taking the time to get to know and understand each individual family and then build relationships with them in which it’s possible to think about some of the struggles they are having." Mandy Kavanagh-Vincent, Whirinaki CAMHS, Counties Manukau DHB, Auckland
What personal qualities do you need?
A Family Therapist needs to be:
- accepting and respectful of people
- a good listener and communicator
- understanding of how family/whānau relationships work
Who could you work with?
Family Therapists work with families/whanau with a child or young person who is experiencing mental health difficulties.
What kinds of places can they work in?
Family Therapists often work in offices and counselling rooms, but may also visit schools, marae, counselling centres and the child or young person’s home.
How much could you expect to earn?
Salaries vary, but Family Therapists usually earn between $35,000 and $55,000+ per year, depending on qualifications and experience. Family Therapists working in private practice may earn more than this.
Are there any scholarships I can apply for to help with the cost of studying?
Yes! There are a number of scholarships that you may be able to apply for. Click here for details.
