33 graduate in family therapy

Thirty-three students recently graduated in applied systemic therapy from the Tavistock Institute, London. The group consisted of eight postgraduate diploma students and 25 postgraduate certificate students.

The family therapy service of Appog has been at the forefront of organising these training courses in family therapy in collaboration with the Tavistock Institute and co-organising tutors Angela Abela and Clarissa Sammut Scerri.

Addressing the graduates, Dr Abela said that such courses and good turnout every year proved how much we have the family welfare at heart. She commended the good influence such training has had on diverse entities, with participants from the Cana Movement, Education Department, Caritas, and professionals in private practice benefiting from Tavistock courses along with professionals from the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.

Maryanne Gauci, manager of Appogg Adult and Family Services, said family therapy is important for working with and supporting individuals facing problems within their family and wider settings.

The family therapy service deals with situations, varying from children with difficult and challenging behaviour to couples in crisis who want to safeguard their relationship.

The Tavistock Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma courses are aimed at psychologists, social workers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, guidance teachers, counsellors, psychotherapists and nurses. This training provided participants with new ways of understanding family dynamics with the aim of being better equipped to deal with problems presented by individuals and families in different contexts such as school settings, general practice and social work.