Family Therapy
When home feels tense and the same conflicts keep returning, family therapy helps you understand the pattern and change it, together. In South Perth and online across Australia, for families with children and families of adults.
Families often arrive describing one visible issue, when there is usually a pattern underneath. You might recognise some of these.
For parents, children, teens and adult family members.
The same arguments keep happening, everyone is tense by dinner, and no one feels properly heard.
Defiance, withdrawal or slammed doors, and conversations that slide into correction or shutdown.
Rivalry that has tipped into constant hostility, with parents caught refereeing.
Separated or blended families trying to make decisions without reopening old conflict.
A young person's mental health, a diagnosis, grief or burnout that the whole household is feeling.
You know what the problem is, but the same thing keeps happening anyway.
We map who pursues, who withdraws, who mediates and who absorbs, so the work stops circling and starts moving.
Clearer routines and repair steps for the real pressure points: mornings, homework, screens, handovers and bedtime.
Children and teenagers are included according to their age, readiness and the family's goals. The counsellor creates developmentally appropriate ways for their experience and perspective to inform the work.
Whole-family sessions, parents-only work, or a combination, matched to what will actually help at home.
Who you see depends on your family. Family therapy involving children is offered by Nadia and Mel; family work with adults, including adult children, is offered by Ken and Krasna.
Senior Counsellor and Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Works with: Children, teenagers and parents
Family Counsellor
Works with: Children, teenagers and families
Senior Counsellor
Works with: Adults, couples, later life family therapy
Book directly or send an enquiry. We help you map the concerns and decide who should attend the first session.
We focus on the pattern, not just the headline issue: what happens before conflict builds, who is affected, and one or two realistic goals.
Whole-family, parent-only or child-inclusive sessions, with simple practices to try between sessions.
They are two names for the same work. Family therapy, or family counselling, supports the whole family rather than one person, looking at the patterns between family members and finding practical ways to change them.
Not always. Some sessions are for parents only, some are for the whole family, and some include children or teens for part of the session. The format is matched to your family's goals, and no one is put on the spot.
Family therapy involving children is offered by Nadia Kidgell and Mel Tibbitts. Family work with adults and adult children is offered by Krasna Phillips, in English or Croatian.
There is no set number. Many families start with a handful of sessions and a review point along the way. Some need fewer, some longer, depending on the pattern, how long it has been in place, and how consistently you can practise between sessions.
No referral is required. You can book directly online or get in touch with us to arrange a first conversation.
A Standard Appointment is $169.40 and a family session (60 minutes, more than one person in the room) is $193.60 with Nadia or Krasna. Mel Tibbitts is billed at $200 per hour and is the only practitioner who offers Medicare and private health rebates. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants can use eligible funding; Discovery Family Therapy is not a registered NDIS provider.
Yes. Family therapy can support households adjusting to a roster, including reconnecting after time apart, sharing the load while a parent is away, and settling children back into routine when the family is together again.
Yes. Family therapy is available in person at our South Perth clinic (close to Como, Applecross, Victoria Park and Mount Pleasant) and online across Australia by secure video, which can suit FIFO families and relatives in different locations.
Please tell us about any safety concerns when you book so we can plan carefully. Discovery Family Therapy is not a crisis service. If anyone is at immediate risk, call 000, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Book a family counselling appointment directly, or tell us what has been happening at home and we will recommend the most suitable first appointment and who should attend.
