Family Conflict

Breaking the conflict cycle

Most family conflict follows a predictable loop, trigger, escalation, blowup, silence, repeat. We map the loop together and find the points where things can change before they go sideways.

In practice: Drawing out a typical family conflict sequence, from trigger to escalation to aftermath, so everyone can see the pattern from the outside.

Entrenched resentment

Years of unresolved grievances build up. We work through what's accumulated, acknowledge what happened, and start to clear the backlog, so it stops running the show.

In practice: Listing the grievances that have built up over the years, then taking turns acknowledging each one before choosing which to work on first.

Conflict with neurodivergent family members

When one or more family members are autistic, have ADHD, or process the world differently, conflict can escalate faster and feel more confusing. We work across those differences without pathologising anyone.

In practice: Mapping out each family member's sensory and communication needs so that conflict doesn't get amplified by environmental or processing differences.

Intergenerational conflict

Parent-child conflict, adult children and ageing parents, grandparents and different parenting values, family conflict often spans generations. We work with the full picture.

In practice: Each generation sharing what they need to feel respected, then finding where those needs overlap and where compromise is possible.

Expressing anger without damage

Anger in families often comes out in ways that hurt people and make things worse. We work on expressing what's underneath the anger in ways that don't blow up the relationship every time.

In practice: Practising a family pause-and-return protocol, where everyone agrees on how to take a break and come back to the conversation safely.

Post-conflict repair

Most families are okay at fighting, fewer are good at the repair that needs to happen after. We work on how to come back together after things have gone wrong, and rebuild trust over time.

In practice: Naming one small action each person could take to help rebuild trust, then checking in as a family on how it went.

What it costs

Family conflict counselling follows the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, with the amount depending on session type and whether it's a weekday, evening, or weekend. You can also access this privately, or through other schemes, if NDIS funding doesn't apply to your family. Cost is always confirmed in writing before anything starts.

Am I eligible?

Support for working through family conflict usually sits under NDIS Capacity Building, Improved Relationships, if the participant's plan includes that funding. A support coordinator or plan manager can help you check. Private, self-funded access is also available without NDIS funding.

Where we work

We're based in Thomastown and work with families across Greater Melbourne, the northern, western, and eastern suburbs. Sessions are also available online via telehealth, with some work extending into regional Victoria.

How to start

Reach out by phone, our contact form, or email. The first conversation is about the conflict your family is facing, and you share as much as you want to. We'll match you with a practitioner who suits you, and your first session is usually booked within a few business days.