Family Support | Case Work |

The “new language” of emotions and affects assists family members review past responses, identifying the harm resulting, and provides an opportunity to repair same, and to then make informed decisions and respond with improved behaviours in the future. Other family members are engaged with the agreement of the presenting family member, and taken through the “framework” as described above. The introduction of the new language into the family day-to-day life experience provides an improved way to challenge behaviours and improve communication between family members; we call “out of the compass”.

Family Support

GFSS provides assistance to families in crisis through, advocacy around issues such as housing, emergency food and financial assistance, referrals to medical practitioners  etc. We assist with any identified need that may impact on the ability of the family to care and support their children.

Case Work

We listen to each person’s story and encourage the sharing of the emotional harm caused by inappropriate or harmful behaviours. The person is gradually introduced to the agency framework over a number of sessions and according to each person’s need and capacity. The transparency of Tomkins’ “Theory of Affect” and Nathanson’s “Compass of Shame” in identifying behaviours and emotions as separate from the person assists those presenting by introducing a “new language”. 

In addition GFSS is a point of information and advice and referral to other services for families.

Explicit Practice

The “new language” of emotions and affects assists family members review past responses, identifying the harm resulting, and provides an opportunity to repair same, and to then make informed decisions and respond with improved behaviours in the future.

Educating

Other family members are engaged with the agreement of the presenting family member, and taken through the “framework” as described above. The introduction of the new language into the family day-to-day life experience provides an improved way to challenge behaviours and improve communication between family members; we call “out of the compass”.