Family and Systemic Psychotherapists
What family and systemic psychotherapists do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
What Family and Systemic Psychotherapists Do
Family and Systemic Psychotherapists (Family Therapists)
Family and systemic psychotherapy helps people in close relationships understand and support each other, drawing on strengths they already share. “Family” means any group of people who see themselves that way — parents and children, couples, carers, chosen family or the wider network around someone. The work looks at patterns of communication and at the systems people live in (home, school, work, community), and the aim is never to blame. Sessions can include individuals, couples, whole families or carers, and may be short-term or longer. People often seek this help around conflict, life transitions, mental health difficulties that affect everyone, parenting challenges, or when one person’s troubles are hard for others to respond to. The therapist’s role is to facilitate conversation and notice patterns, not to take sides.
Registration and Titles
Fully qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapists are registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy; training is accredited by the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy.
How to Check a Registration
Check the practitioner is registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist, and ask whether their training was accredited by the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy.
Our guide on how to check a register explains what to look for. Every practitioner on Therapist Circle shows their register and number on their profile so you can check it yourself.
NHS and Other Routes
In the NHS, family therapists work in child and adolescent mental health services, adult mental health services and eating disorder services. Referral usually comes through a GP, school or a team already involved. Some local authorities and charities also offer family work.
See finding NHS support and free and low-cost therapy for more routes.
Private Sessions and Fees
Private fees vary by area, experience, session length and setting, so ask each practitioner for their fee, cancellation terms and any reduced-fee places before booking. Our guide to fees, private practice and NHS routes explains what to ask.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Which register are you on, and what is your registration number?
- What experience do you have with the kind of difficulty I have?
- How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online, phone or in-person sessions?
Find Family and Systemic Psychotherapists
Find Family and Systemic Psychotherapists on Therapist Circle
Other Professions
Informed by: Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. Not affiliated with any professional body. If you need urgent help, call NHS 111, Samaritans free on 116 123, or 999 if life is at risk.