Dorset families offered help to reduce conflict 

Families in Dorset are being offered free relationship therapy through a funded project aimed at reducing parental conflict.  

The SIPCo (Support for Inter-Parental Conflict) project is offering free relationship therapy to selected parents in Dorset with children ages between 8 and 14.  

Funded through the Youth Endowment Fund and delivered by Tavistock Therapy, the project is being offered across Dorset, BCP and Bristol and uses therapeutic approaches to help parents reduce conflict.  

The project will help partners and coparents learn coping techniques to argue less and communicate better.  

One participant in Dorset said: “I was sceptical about it at first but gave it a go and it turned out to be brilliant. I can’t recommend it enough. It really helped us reconnect and see where the other person was coming from.”  

Participants in the project could receive online therapy sessions, using Mentalisation Based Therapy offered by Tavistock Relationships.  

Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT-PP) helps participants understand their emotions and the thoughts and feelings of others in a safe environment.  

Alternatively, they could receive specialised online resources and support for reducing parental conflict, provided by Dorset Council.  

Cllr. Claire Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Children Services, Education and Skills said: “The SIPCo Project is an important project for Dorset families and will provide key therapy and support to partners and co-parents to reduce conflict.  

“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing parental conflict challenges to reach out via email or phone through our website to find out more.”  

The SIPCo Project is running for a limited time and will end in April 2025.   

To find out more about the SIPCo Project and taking part, you can visit: Support for InterParental Conflict (SIPCo) project - Dorset Council.