Support for Family
Business Advisors
Psychotherapy-informed consultancy and referral support for advisors working with complex family systems.
As an accountant, lawyer, financial planner, consultant, or governance advisor, you are often the first to recognise when relational strain begins to destabilise business decisions. We work at the emotional and systemic layer beneath those moments — so your advisory work can function as intended.
Psychotherapy that rewires relational patterns—so trust deepens, decisions flow, and the family business thrives.
When Advisory Work Meets Emotional Activation
Advisors are typically engaged to resolve structural matters: governance frameworks, succession planning, shareholder alignment, financial strategy.
Yet many of the most difficult challenges are not structural.
They are relational.
You may notice:
- Multi-role conflict that governance frameworks cannot contain
- Board conversations repeatedly derailing
- Disproportionate emotional reactions to minor issues
- Chronic defensiveness, contempt, or withdrawal
- Succession discussions stalled by unspoken grief or identity strain
At this point, advisory work often reaches its natural boundary. The issue is no longer strategy — it is meaning, role, and nervous system activation inside the family system.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
What We Offer Advisors
Client Referral Support
Advisors may refer individuals, dyads, or whole families for specialist psychotherapy.
In these engagements, we:
- Identify and interrupt destructive relational patterns
- Help family members access primary emotions rather than react through anger or withdrawal
- Clarify role boundaries in real time
- Work within a trauma-informed framework
- Support families to rescript entrenched patterns in the room
Psychotherapy operates independently and confidentially, allowing you to remain within your professional scope.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
Consultancy for Advisors
In addition to referrals, we provide consultancy directly to advisors and advisory teams.
This may include:
- Case consultation (without breaching client confidentiality)
- Systemic mapping of relational dynamics within a family system
- Preparation for high-stakes family meetings
- Debriefing after escalated governance sessions
- Training advisory teams to recognise multi-role conflict and emotional activation
This work strengthens your ability to hold complex family systems without absorbing emotional volatility.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
How Psychotherapy and Advisory Work
Complement Each Other
Family business psychotherapy does not replace advisory expertise.
It strengthens it.
When emotional activation is stabilised:
- Governance conversations become productive
- Succession discussions move forward
- Agreements hold over time
- Role confusion reduces
- Strategy can land without being derailed by history
Advisors remain the experts in structure and strategy.
We work at the emotional and relational layer that supports those outcomes.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
Professional Integrity & Clinical Leadership
Professional Boundaries & Confidentiality
All psychotherapy engagements are:
- Confidential and clinically governed
- Independent of financial, legal, or governance advice
- Focused solely on relational and emotional processes
We do not provide advisory, financial, legal, or governance services.
Clear role delineation protects both advisors and families.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
Meet Our Principal Psychotherapist
Tom Skotidas
Family business psychotherapy does not replace advisory expertise.
- Masters-qualified psychotherapist
- Advanced training in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Trauma-informed clinical approach
- Founder of multiple companies since 2011
- Experience working across Australia & Asia Pacific
- Member of the Family Business Association
Tom’s work sits at the intersection of family, emotion, and enterprise performance — allowing advisors to remain within their expertise while the deeper relational layer is addressed safely and professionally.
Clinical Research Sources
Executive Coaching: Reference List
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 30(2), 269–287. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.16387885
Körner, M., Luzay, L., Plewnia, A., Becker, S., Rundel, M., Zimmermann, L., & Müller, C. (2017). A cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a team coaching concept for improving teamwork and patient-centeredness in rehabilitation teams. PLOS ONE, 12(7), Article e0180171. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180171
Peters, J., & Carr, C. (2019). What does ‘good’ look like? An overview of the research on the effectiveness of team coaching. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. Mackie (Eds.), The practitioner’s handbook of team coaching (pp. 89–120). Routledge.
Traylor, A. M., Stahr, E., & Salas, E. (2020). Team coaching: Three questions and a look ahead: A systematic literature review. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(2), 54–66.
Mediation: Reference List
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K., & Gordon, M. (2020). Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management, 31(5), 665–685. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0145
McKenzie, D. M. (2015). The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39, 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.021
Boyle, A. (2017). Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach. Newcastle Law Review, 12, 148–163.
Farooqi, M. T. K., Shafiq, A., Awan, S. M., Ullah, M. S., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Impact of conflict management on employee retention and engagement: A systematic review. Remittances Review, 9(2), 3975–3989. https://remittancesreview.com/menu-script/index.php/remittances/article/view/1797
Vasilyeva, V., & Bayer, J. P. (2024). A systematic review approach to organisational conflict resolution for optimal productivity and seamless functioning. In N. V. Suresh & P. S. Buvaneswari (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Business: Navigating the new frontiers beyond boundaries (DTBNNF 2024) (pp. 244–265). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-433-4_18
Advisor Consultation
If you are working with a family experiencing persistent role conflict, emotional escalation, or stalled succession, we are available for confidential discussion to explore how psychotherapy-informed support can strengthen your advisory work. No obligation. Professional discretion assured.
