Family-Lab is an international organization for counselling and competence development based on the experiences and theories held by Jesper Juul, renowned Danish family therapist and writer, concerning the relationships within the family.

Family-Lab first of all addresses itself to parents who would like to find a solid basis in their role as parents and partners; and who would like to develop their own values and manners in dialogue with the principles of Jesper Juul regarding family life and the education of children, and also in dialogue with other parents.

Jesper Juul says:
"I do not believe in parent education! I think it is impossible to qualify as a father or a mother by attending courses. This type of 'education' can only take place in everyday interaction between children and grown up partners, and represents a lifelong process. Family-lab can offer parents inspiration and counselling throughout this process.

Today’s parents are confronting a task which is historically unique: They quite literally have to reinvent the partnership between man and woman, and also the leadership in relation to children and young people; all according to a new set of values and goals, i.e. equal dignity and a genuine wish to avoid violating the integrity of children and youngsters.

What we are witnessing today represents much more than a generation shift where young people are looking for something new. Marriage is no longer a social or moral necessity, but rather based on an existential and emotional choice. We see new types of families and ways of living together; traditional gender roles are undergoing a period of considerable transformation, and - in the midst of it all – we have to relate to and interact with children and young people who have obtained a new position within the family, as well as within society in general. I have the deepest respect for those parents who dare to show their lack of security and who also have the energy to throw themselves into a developing process that otherwise could take anyone's breath away.

I do not believe in concepts such as: 'How to manage your teenager in five easy lessons'. However, I do believe we can offer parents valuable inspiration and counselling, taking as a starting-point who they are; what they aspire after with reference to their family; and the actual conflicts they experience and live with.

For that reason, I have chosen the label Family-Lab – which, accordingly, is not a type of school, but rather a laboratory where you can discover, rediscover, invent and experiment on and with your own perspective of family development."

It applies to every family that the presence of love is not enough to guarantee the well-being and personal growth of the family members. We need to learn how to convert our loving feelings into loving behaviour, and this has to be learned from, and with, each other. Family-Lab provides some well tried principles and values that can function as a guide-line within family life. This, however, has to be intertwined with the personal values and goals held by the parents in order to create a warm and meaningful wholeness to all family members.

Family-Lab seminars will be held either to open groups where everyone can participate, or to self-established groups consisting of friends, community fellows, colleagues, etc. The group leaders will all be experienced and competent professionals, who additionally will be under the continuous supervision of Jesper Juul and Family-Lab’s professional staff.