Family Court counselling with separating families.

Family Court counsellors, attached to the Family Court, see married couples who are separating, particularly those already involved, or likely to be, in Court disputes concerning their children. Children seen by the counsellors are from families in crises, and are usually detrimentally affected by family separation, and more so by any accompanying conflict. The impact on them depends on their developmental stage and position in the family system, and may be manifested in aggressive behaviour, general anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, or manipulation and 'acting out'. The examination of the whole family system is essential to defuse the situation and thereby move the focus from the children; the close cooperation of all professionals working with the family is necessary to achieve this.