Everything is done face to face. On one sofa are the therapists, on the other the couples. The conversations always revolve around the same: the problems inherent in any relationship, whether between the couple or within the family. In the Family Therapy Unit (UTF) of the Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve, in Faro, people are “cured” without recourse to medication. There is only one recipe: dialogue.
Raquel Medeiros and Pedro Teigão are two of the four family therapists who work at this Unit. «We've been through so many things», begins by vent Raquel to the report of Sul Informação.
“Once, in therapy with a couple, after 24 consultations, the woman confessed that she had never had pleasure with the man. We all understood what was meant, but Pedro and I didn't know how to react», he says.
But let's start at the beginning. The Family Therapy Unit was created 10 years ago, by the hands of family doctor Pedro Teigão and social worker Alexandra Alvarez, in a pioneering initiative. Because it is a public health service.
«We receive people from all over the Algarve. Although we are at the level of a health center, we only respond to the ARS's board of directors, and this is an asset because we are an autonomous service», states coordinator Pedro Teigão.
Users who can get there in different ways. Some are referred by family doctors, others by the court or the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth (CPCJ). And the list does not end here: there are also those who self-refer to to start having family therapy appointments.
As for the problem that most drives people to the UTF, Pedro Teigão and psychologist Raquel Medeiros have no doubts: “the lack of communication”.
In consultations, which are monthly, up to a total of 24, the model used is that of co-therapy. “This allows for greater wealth. Ideally, therapists should always be a man and a woman, so that there is both a female and a male perspective. This even in homosexual couples», explains Raquel, sitting on the therapists' sofa, as if it were a consultation.
The environment we are trying to recreate is one of peace, tranquility and happiness, in contrast to the state of mind of the UTF patients. On the wall of the therapy room, there are pictures of happy families, for example. Even the fact that the consultation takes place in a space with sofas gives that idea of comfort that therapists want to convey.
“Here we talk about relationships between people”, says, assertively, Pedro Teigão. Therapists always want their actions to have a certain impact, but in the mystery of human relationships, the bills can be broken. When this happens, “we have to assess and regulate”, explains the coordinator.
Since it was born, the Family Therapy Unit has helped 750 families and couples, but the number will grow. J. Silva and A. Sousa (fictitious names) are an example of this. The couple goes to their ninth appointment. “We are here because of the various problems that arise in any long-term relationship, also given the specificities of each personality,” says A. Sousa to Sul Informação.
Sitting on the sofa, face to face with therapists Pedro and Raquel, but even before the start of therapy, J. Silva confesses: «the balance is being very positive. Therapy helps us to deal with situations for which we didn't have a correct or immediate answer».
The other member of the couple couldn't corroborate further. "It's as if we took the topic to think about and try to change the relationship with the other", he says.
The enthusiasm and ease between the couple and the therapists are evident. A. Sousa does not hesitate to exclaim: “I adore them! They are super friendly, available, but also provocative, which promotes dialogue. They spur us on to action and I consider that very important».
According to Pedro Teigão and Raquel Medeiros, “the therapeutic space is really revealing”. There they always say “things to the other that are not always said in another context”.
The therapists give, from 17:00 pm, between three to four appointments a day. Work is always in after-work hours. “We are employees of the National Health Service (SNS). If it weren't pleasant, I wouldn't be here, because it's not for the money», says, between laughs, the therapist Raquel.
The Portuguese family model is traditionally made up of couples and children, so that, on average, therapists receive families made up of three people.
According to the UTF consultations, users aged between 20 and 80 have already passed, and there have already been cases of families who asked to return, but with other problems.
“According to the cycles of family life, the theme of greatest concern changes. If, in the beginning, it will be the couple, the main focus later is the children», states Raquel Medeiros.
In those consultations, sometimes sensitive topics are addressed. Winning over patients is one of the first steps for therapists. Also for this reason, all people who go to the Family Care Unit are entitled to confidentiality. And there are more particulars.
In the therapy room, there is a large mirror in the back. In the back, in a small office, it is common for other therapists, some still in training, to attend the consultations that are filmed. In this way, there are more “eyes” on what is going on.
“Families know all this and can refuse if they want,” explains Raquel Medeiros. Afterwards, the discs with the recordings are stored in large boxes, which Pedro Teigão proudly displays.
“In the end, what matters is that there is a solution for the family. We are family therapists. This is not a consultation and has nothing to do directly with medicine», he explains.
A. Sousa and J. Silva are still in therapy, but, if all goes well, they will leave UTF with a “cure” for their relationship problems. For now, A. Sousa is already certain: «without this, we would continue to be involved in less positive situations and we would not be dealing with them in a healthy way».
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