The purpose of family counselling services is to help those who need to talk about difficult issues and family conflicts. Most people who come to a family counselling office seek advice about everyday problems. You can contact your local family counselling office without a referral from a doctor. Counselling is free, and the offices have access to interpreters.
Family counselling services offer counselling and advice in all phases of life. Examples are couples who wish to work on their relationship, couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, cases of problems between children and their parents, conflicts between different family cultures, forced marriage, when there is a risk of genital mutilation or genital mutilation has taken place, domestic violence etc.
Family counselling offices also offer various courses and groups relating to family and relationship issues, such as relationship-building courses, courses for first-time parents, and courses for parents of children with disabilities.
All the counties in Norway have at least one family counselling office. Offices are organised under the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs.
