Therapy pilot report launched

The report of a pilot project which provided therapeutic support to families who were separating was launched by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald last week. The Tafit (Therapeutically Assisting Families in Transition) project was undertaken by the family therapy department of the Mater hospital under the leadership of Prof Jim Sheehan.

It enlisted the help of the Courts Service and members of the judiciary in the family circuit court in the eastern region. Families facing legal separation and divorce were referred to the free service.

Its approach was based on integrating therapeutic work with children with therapy for their family as a whole.

Seventy-two families participated in the project, and 80 per cent reported it was helpful to the children. The main criticism of the project was that, as a pilot project, it came to an end.

Judge Petria McDonnell of the Circuit Court urged the permanent establishment of such a service.