"Family therapist support"

I have been seeing a family therapist at IRIS for many months now.the therapist has been an incredible help to me. I am the mother of a young son who has been suffering from depression and has been self medicating on drugs and alcohol. Without the support of the threrapist and the support from other mental health services I dread to think where we would be now. It has been nearly 2 years now and although we are not yet out of the woods things have greatly improved. I don't make appointments but ring when I need to talk and am always seen by the same therapist within the week. They are a great listener,never judges, always makes sense of how I'm feeling and has given me lots of really useful information to read and often provides me with the right words to say to my son when I am at a loss as to know what to do or say. I always feel so much better and a lot less stressed after my appointment.

My son as yet has not engaged with IRIS but I feel fully supported by them and take comfort in the knowledge that they will be there when he is ready to do so.it is devastating to watch your bright,caring,funny high achieving son fall so dramatically off the rails knowing that as a close family we have worked so hard to provide him with a supportive,loving foundation. Bringing him up to know right from wrong,supporting him in the many activities he has enjoyed over the years, and encouraged him to always take time to help others who are down on their luck. At times life has been unbearable, frustrating and nearly broken our long and mostly happy marriage,but with the wonderful support we have received we are still able to look forward and hope for a better future for our son. I have been able to recommend the service to other people who sadly are facing similar problems as ourselves and will continue to do so in the future as I cannot speak highly enough of them. Many thanks for being there and providing light at the end of my tunnel that I hope we will eventually find.