Family support program

Rebecca, a 14-year-old girl, and her mother, Emma were referred to Conflict Resolution Service due to escalating conflicts at home. The issues between Emma and Rebecca initially revolved around typical teenage conflicts, marked by frequent arguments, door slamming, and yelling.

Emma’s past is marked by domestic violence at the hands of Reggie (Rebecca’s sibling) and Rebecca’s father, who struggles with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, and significant mental health issues. Despite these challenges, Emma has shown a strong commitment to improving her relationship with Rebecca and addressing her own issues.

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Rebecca, who has a strong connection with her school’s wellbeing and learning support team, has faced her own set of difficulties. She struggles with maintaining friendships, has been bullied, and suffers from anxiety, with past reports of suicidal thoughts. Rebecca also expresses a desire to connect more deeply with her Aboriginal identity and is navigating the effects of trauma, including challenges with honesty.

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To address these complex issues, both Emma and Rebecca have engaged in weekly coaching sessions through the Family Support Program. Emma’s sessions focus on building an emotional connection with Rebecca, improving her parenting skills, and setting boundaries. The sessions have also helped Emma manage her anxiety, respond calmly in difficult situations, and prioritise safety planning.

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Rebecca’s coaching has centred on improving her communication skills, identifying her support network, and fostering a sense of identity. Through case management, she has been connected with culturally appropriate programs at a local multicultural youth organisation and supported in accessing health services. Additionally, a safety plan was developed for Rebecca’s interstate visits to extended family, ensuring her well-being during these trips.

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Through regular coaching, both Emma and Rebecca were supported in understanding the impact of past events on their relationship and developing a plan for ongoing support.

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The collaboration between the Family Support Program and various services, has been instrumental in addressing the family’s needs. Since engaging with the program, Rebecca has been able to effectively communicate her needs, and Emma has made significant strides in her recovery, notably remaining alcohol-free since January.

Andrew, a 24-year-old man, lives with his partner Victor, his parents Paul and Verity, and two of his three brothers in the family home. The family was referred to the Family Support Program after an argument between Andrew and his father escalated, leading to an incident involving physical violence. Andrew’s relationship with his parents has been turbulent, especially since coming out as a trans man at the age of 14. He described enduring verbal abuse from both parents during his childhood, which created a strained relationship that persisted into adulthood. About a year before the police were called, Paul’s abusive behaviour resurfaced, primarily targeting Andrew over household disagreements.

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Paul, who has struggled with poor mental health since the birth of his children, found his situation further strained by his partner Verity’s mental health issues and the financial stress of being the sole income earner for five dependents. Paul felt overwhelmed, and the incident with Andrew raised concerns about his job security as a teacher. While Paul has received ongoing mental health support, he struggled to communicate his needs effectively to health professionals, leading to an attempted suicide following the incident with Andrew.

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Andrew, who is undiagnosed but self-identifies with ASD, describes himself as having a clear but sometimes blunt communication style. Paul believes that Andrew finds it difficult to understand others’ perspectives and to show empathy.

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Initially, only Andrew engaged with the program, as both of his parents were seeking help with their mental health and were not ready to participate. After three to four individual coaching sessions with Andrew, he agreed to the practitioner contacting Paul to gauge his interest in the program. Paul, eager to repair his relationship with Andrew, willingly engaged and expressed a desire to explain what had led to the incident. Andrew and Paul have since met face-to-face on two occasions, facilitated by the practitioner.

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Support for Andrew has focused on building his capacity to communicate effectively with Paul about the impact of the incident on himself and Victor, while avoiding defensive responses from Paul. The practitioner has also worked with Andrew to explore what safety means to him and to understand his different parenting expectations of Paul compared to Verity. Paul’s individual sessions have focused on building his confidence to communicate with Andrew about his mental health journey and to avoid dismissing the impact of his behaviour on Andrew over the years.

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Since engaging with the program, both Andrew and Paul have reestablished face-to-face communication, leading to a calmer home environment. Andrew has communicated a timeline for him and Victor to move out, and Paul has, for the first time, discussed his mental health with Andrew, disclosing information that Andrew was previously unaware of. Andrew has expressed empathy towards Paul, acknowledging that he had not understood the extent of his father’s mental health struggles.