Reviews & Testimonials

Over the years several reviews have been published on William Street Family Therapy Centre and our staff. Here we provide recent reviews for your interest.

	Article published March 2011 As follows is an article written by Ian Sampson, published in the March 2011 edition of the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Association of Western Australia newsletter. Ian wrote about his experience with William Street Family Therapy Centre.

SYSTEMIC AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIP TRAINING AT WILLIAM STREET FAMILY THERAPY CENTRE.

I have been living here with my family in Perth in beautiful WA for over four years now. In the UK we had the chance to immigrate and as a family decided that we would embrace this opportunity. In the UK I had I had started to train as a counsellor and expected to continue this training here, but the model that I was trained in (Person Centred) was not mainstream. After a year of searching I enrolled on a four year psychotherapist training locally but was also looking for some training that would be very "hands on". What appealed to me about WSFTC was that the training revolved around working with real families and I was fascinated by the idea of working as a co-therapist and as part of a "Reflecting Team". I also had no knowledge of Systemic approaches and Couple or Family Therapy generally, but I knew that Aldo Gurgone, his team of trainers, and the training itself were highly regarded.

So what was the training like? Well at an educational level I have learnt so much. In the first year each of the major models was covered, with trainees having to pair up and research and present on a particular modality. We covered Developmental, Strategic, Structural, Systemic, Bowenian, Experiential, Cybernetic, and many more. This approach raised knowledge, and also confidence, and I particularly enjoyed the group debates that would inevitably follow. To be exposed to so many different perspectives was very enriching and stimulating. This was complemented by my experience in our group where I found trainers and group members often worked very effectively although in different ways. This "ground" of acceptance and interest, against a "figure" of efficacy and "what was best for the client" allowed each of us to find our own way of working and this was actively encouraged and supported in the work. I find myself less "partisan" these days and more respectful of the value of other approaches and of how others choose to work.

In the second year alongside the ongoing work, trainees could pick some projects of interest to research and present. This included such areas as Shame, Resistance, Attachment / Object Relations, Play Therapy and working with children, EFT, Narrative etc. In this way many experienced practitioners in the group were able to share their expertise and others with less experience were able to research and grow in an area where they were less knowledgeable or confident. Again the ensuing discussions were rich and informative. In both years I found the notes that trainers and trainees provided were good reference material and excellent pointers for further work for those who might be interested. I also enjoyed the exposure to different tools such as cards, photos, images, puppets etc and their use and application working with families and in particular children. My impression was that there was real learning by everyone in our group regardless of the level of their experience.

From the start of training we were introduced to the idea of the "reflective team". Basically the families would work with two therapists in a room while a small team of colleagues would observe from behind a one way mirror. Families are shown the setup and meet the teams in advance of any work, so the mirror is in no way a deception but rather a means to allow the work to be observed in a way that does not interrupt the natural process and flow. Halfway through the session the reflecting team and the family with their therapists will swap positions. They then listen to the team discuss (briefly) amongst themselves their personal reactions to the work. The idea behind this is to expose the family to many different perspectives about themselves and the work. This can be very insightful for both family members and the therapists themselves. The positions are then changed again and the family can discuss the feedback - what they each heard and what was important / useful / interesting to them. In this way the "field" is enriched, opening the opportunity for different perspectives and possibilities for change. I found that this was a very egalitarian approach and as a trainee I found that I was always involved and working in some way or other in this process. Afterwards there would be individual and group discussion / supervision to review the session. This was often combined with "role play" around any emerging issues and particular topics that were current.

My experience of the above was at times a bit like being on a "rollercoaster". I remember my first session with Aldo asking for volunteers to role play - being asked to observe the process, determine what was happening and how I would approach the therapy and what I had to offer the clients. In that first session as one of the less experienced trainees I remember thinking "oh my God how am I going to do this?" I remember working with families and sometimes feeling I had got it completely wrong. But I also remember seeing others far more experienced than me doing the same thing. It was a great leveller. I recall struggles as I came to terms with differences within families, co-therapists, our group, and within myself. But I also found so much support - how the good work I did was always highlighted, and the patience with which I was met when sometimes I could not see what was in front of me. As our group shared our experiences and differences we supported each other and became more competent and grew in our practice. I liked the way that no particular modality or approach other than a general systemic outlook was pushed, and how we were each encouraged to find our own way. I also felt that there was a genuine interest in me and my development as a Family Therapist that often went outside the standard requirements of the course - a simple thing that I valued highly.

Most of all I really valued the opportunity to work with real families. I learnt I could actually survive "difficult" families, and a room full of "crazy" kids. I learnt that the "difficulties" were more about myself as I sat with my own anxiety trying to get it "right" while watching families and couples argue and fight and cry.   More importantly I learnt to value these families, and especially their children, seeing how hard they work with so little. I learnt to see what was so often good and strong in them and to respect their struggle. I also remember the laughter and humour that so many families brought with them despite their hardships and I experienced the quiet pleasure and affirmation that comes when things change, when people start to value and respect themselves, and those they love. I think that these families taught me far more than I ever taught them and I thank them for that.

In my opinion the Training at WSFTC is challenging, but well worth the effort, and a good preparation and beginning for those who wish to engage in the many challenges and rewards of working with families. I have found the course requires a real commitment but is accessible and great value. By joining WAFTA (Western Australian Family Therapy Association) there is a unique access to other therapists working or interested in Family and Couples Therapy and there are regular meetings and presentations over the year at the WSFTC. In this sense I have found that WAFTA is also a kind of "family".

IAN SAMPSON