The majority of Outpatient Services are offered on a sessional basis (usually one or one and a half-hours) at times that are agreed with you. This is most often at the Marlborough but can be in other places, by negotiation. Frequency of meetings and the overall length of time we continue to meet with you varies widely.
WHO USES THE SERVICE
The reasons people use the service include a range of problems facing them at different stages of life.
Common child or adolescent problems include behavioural problems at home or school, some of which may show up as physical symptoms or be labelled as ADHD or autism/asperger's, adjusting to family loss or trauma or to changing family membership, including changes due to divorce and step-parenting, misuse of drugs or other substances, and sexual abuse or neglect.
Common adult problems include relationship, couple, marital or sexual difficulties which are affecting the people involved in serious ways : bereavement which is becoming too hard to handle, drug and alcohol misuse, the effects of domestic violence or other traumatic experiences such a racial or sexual harassment or the aftermath of political violence leading to exile, excessive stress in the care of dependent relatives, repeated illnesses without clear physical explanation or people with a diagnosis of mental illness whose relationship with relatives is problematic.
LANGUAGE
The service can be provided in any language, either directly, or by working with an interpreter. Interpreters are employed by the Trust and are professionally trained and bound by the ethics of confidentiality in all of their work. If we need an interpreter we will, in advance, make sure that they are acceptable to you. In addition to English, current languages spoken include Arabic, Bengali/Sylheti, Cantonese, Farsi, French, German, Hakka, Hindi, Japanese, Pashto and Punjabi, Spanish, Swedish and Urdu
HOW TO REFER
Individuals, Couples and Families may refer themselves directly to the Service by telephoning or by writing. Many professionals, including those listed below also refer, and if you prefer to discuss your situation first with one of these professionals, then they could make the referral on your behalf.
ØGeneral Practitioners ØHealth Visitors ØTeachers ØSocial Workers ØEducational Psychologists ØNursery Workers ØProbation and Court Welfare Officers ØPsychologists ØPsychiatrists ØCounsellors ØPsychotherapists ØReligious ØVoluntary Sector Workers
GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
As we are are part of the NHS we will always need to have the name and address of the GP.
THE WAY WE WORK
We have found that flexibility on our part is the best way to provide services, and for that reason we will see you alone or with anyone who you think is relevant. This often means family members, including children, partners or close friends. It can also include teachers, doctors, social workers, clergy or other professionals. Who we meet is largely up to you.
INITIAL MEETING
You may meet with a Therapist working on their own, but sometimes two or more team members work together closely as a group. Where this happens, the team (who you can meet) may be behind a one-way mirror while you talk with the therapist. They will be thinking of useful ideas to share with you and the therapist, which they will do from time to time. Although we find this way of working useful, we remain very flexible about its use and only decide in conjunction with you.
SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS
These may involve any one of the services listed below, or they may be in some combination.
If you want to know more about the Family Therapy Serviceclick here
To see more details of Individual Therapy for Childrenclick here
To see more details of Individual Therapy for Adultsclick here
The Marlborough also runs Groups for families and Groups for children. To see more information on this click here
Stepping into Parenthood is a group run for new parents. For more details click here
There is an Infant Mental Health Clinic for parents very worried about babiesclick here for parents very worried about babies
Where adults are in difficulties with family violence, or are worried about the effects of this on their children’s lives there is a Domestic Violence Clinic. For more information click here
For individuals and families who are living with major mental illnesses, there is an Adult Psychosis Multi-Family Workshop. To see more about this click here
Minority Ethnic and Culture Specific Projects. In order to give clients a choice the Marlborough has provided some services tailored specifically for those who wish to use them. For more about these projects click here.
RECORDING AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Sometimes and only with your permission we use video to record sessions. This is after a fuller discussion of what is involved, and only with your written consent. The use of the video allows therapists to review the session at length and helps to develop new ideas. If you do not want it, or think its use will prevent you from getting the best from the service, we will not use it.
Our services are confidential and we do not pass on information without first asking permission, unless we have concerns about a child or adult's safety. Where necessary we prefer to work with Child Protection Services with your consent. Records are also confidential, and the information, also kept on computer is open to your inspection and protected under the Data Protection Act. The Service has an open access records policy. Unless otherwise stated, clients can see anything written relating to them.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Marlborough Family Service seeks to create an environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We aim to offer people an equal service, regardless of any of the usual reasons that are given for discriminating against people.
Pamphlets are also available in Bengali, Urdu and Chinese