When families are facing challenges, it can be easy to focus on what is difficult.
Parents and carers are often navigating complex situations whilst trying their best to support a child or young person. Professionals may be working hard to understand concerns, identify needs and find ways forward. In these circumstances, conversations can naturally become centred around worries, difficulties and what needs to change.
Whilst these discussions are important, they do not always tell the whole story.
Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) offers a different perspective. Rather than focusing primarily on problems, VIG helps people recognise and build upon the strengths that already exist within their relationships and interactions.
What is Video Interaction Guidance?
Video Interaction Guidance, often referred to as VIG, is a strengths-based intervention that uses short video recordings of everyday interactions to support reflection, understanding and positive change.
The process involves recording brief, ordinary interactions and then reviewing carefully selected clips together with a trained practitioner. The focus is not on analysing mistakes or highlighting what has gone wrong. Instead, attention is given to moments where communication, connection and understanding are already taking place.
By slowing these moments down and exploring them together, people are often able to see strengths that may have gone unnoticed in the busyness of everyday life.
Why small moments matter
Relationships are built through hundreds of small interactions every day.
These moments are often brief and easy to overlook, but they can tell us a great deal about how people connect with one another.
For example, VIG might help people notice:
- A shared smile or moment of enjoyment
- A child seeking comfort or reassurance
- A parent responding sensitively to a child’s needs
- A moment of successful communication
- A brief interaction where a child feels understood
- A positive exchange that strengthens connection
Although these moments may seem small, they can provide valuable insights into what is already working within a relationship.
Looking through a different lens
Many parents and carers are their own harshest critics.
When things feel difficult, it is often easier to notice what went wrong than to recognise what went well. The same can be true for professionals working with families and children.
One of the unique aspects of VIG is that it provides an opportunity to step back and observe interactions from a different perspective.
Watching a short video clip can reveal things that may not have been noticed at the time. People are often surprised by the warmth, responsiveness and connection they see when they view an interaction from the outside.
Rather than relying on memory or self-criticism, VIG allows people to observe real moments and reflect on what helped those interactions to succeed.
Building on strengths
At its heart, VIG is built on a simple but powerful principle: change is often most effective when we build on strengths.
Many interventions focus on identifying difficulties and finding ways to address them. Whilst this can be important, VIG starts by asking a different question:
What is already working, and how can we do more of it?
By recognising successful moments of communication and connection, people can develop greater confidence in their own abilities and gain a clearer understanding of the skills and strengths they already possess.
This strengths-based approach can be particularly empowering for parents and carers who may feel overwhelmed, uncertain or lacking confidence in their relationships with a child.
How can VIG help?
VIG has been used in a variety of settings and with a range of different relationships.
Whilst every family’s circumstances are unique, VIG may help people to:
- Strengthen relationships
- Develop confidence in their interactions
- Improve communication and understanding
- Recognise and build upon existing strengths
- Reflect on patterns of connection and engagement
- Develop greater awareness of what supports positive interactions
Importantly, VIG is a collaborative process. The practitioner works alongside individuals to explore the video clips, supporting them to identify and understand moments that feel meaningful and successful.
VIG at Gateway Psychology
We are delighted to now offer Video Interaction Guidance at Gateway Psychology.
The approach sits closely alongside our values as a service. We believe that whilst it is important to understand challenges and difficulties, it is equally important to recognise strengths, celebrate progress and build upon what is already working. VIG provides an opportunity to do exactly that.
Sometimes, seeing a relationship through a different lens can reveal strengths that were there all along.
If you would like to find out more about Video Interaction Guidance or discuss whether it may be helpful for your family or a family you are working with, please get in touch with the Gateway Psychology team.