What type of therapy may suit foster parents?

The most suitable therapy for a foster parent depends on the difficulty they want to address, how long it has been present and whether it affects them individually, their relationships or the wider family. A first assessment with a qualified therapist can help match the support to the foster parent’s needs rather than selecting an approach based only on its name.

Person-centred counselling may suit someone who wants a confidential space to talk through their feelings and experiences without being directed towards a fixed programme. The therapist listens carefully, helps the foster parent explore what they are finding difficult and supports them to identify their own priorities. This can be useful when someone feels overwhelmed, uncertain or emotionally drained but is not looking for a highly structured form of treatment.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It may be considered where anxiety, low mood, worry, guilt or unhelpful patterns of thinking are affecting daily life. Sessions often involve identifying specific difficulties and practising strategies between appointments. A foster parent may find this approach helpful when they want practical tools for managing particular thoughts or reactions.

Trauma-informed therapy takes account of how distressing experiences can affect a person’s sense of safety, relationships, emotions and responses to stress. It is not limited to people who have experienced a single major event. It may also be relevant where repeated exposure to a child’s trauma, challenging behaviour, placement disruption or allegations has had a significant emotional impact. The therapist should work at a suitable pace and avoid asking the foster parent to discuss difficult experiences before they feel ready.

Family or systemic therapy may be appropriate when the concern involves relationships or patterns within the household. This approach considers how people influence one another and how wider factors, such as fostering responsibilities, contact arrangements or changes in a placement, affect family life. Sessions may involve a partner, children or other relevant family members if this is suitable and everyone understands the purpose of their involvement.

Other forms of support may be considered alongside these approaches. For example, a foster parent may benefit from therapy focused on relationships, bereavement, anger management, stress or the impact of caring for someone with complex needs. The important point is that the therapy should relate to the actual concern, be delivered by someone appropriately trained and take account of the foster parent’s responsibilities.

When deciding what may suit you, consider:

• whether you want space to reflect, practical techniques or help with a relationship;
• whether the main difficulty is recent or has been developing over a longer period;
• whether fostering-related experiences are contributing to your distress;
• whether you would prefer individual sessions or feel another family member should be involved;
• your preferred pace, communication style and comfort with structured exercises; and
• any accessibility, cultural or language needs that should be discussed before therapy begins.

A therapist should normally discuss your reasons for seeking help, relevant history, current circumstances and what you hope to achieve. They may explain the proposed method, how progress will be reviewed and what to do if your needs change. You can ask about the therapist’s qualifications and experience with foster carers, trauma, attachment or family work before agreeing to continue.

Therapy is different from fostering supervision, training and ordinary support from friends or family. It can complement those sources of help, but it does not replace safeguarding procedures, professional advice or urgent mental health support. If you are at immediate risk or believe someone else is in danger, use the appropriate emergency or crisis service rather than waiting for a routine therapy appointment.

The right approach may also change over time. A foster parent might begin with support for immediate stress and later need help with grief, relationships or the effects of a placement ending. Discussing this openly with the therapist and fostering professionals can help ensure that the type of support remains relevant to the situation.