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Keeping young minds in mind

Aurora Bracelli. Keeping young minds in mind. AIMS NEEDS of the CHILD in Family Therapy Examples - Development - FT models - Research - Engagement Opportunity to Experiment. WORKSHOP PLAN. Review: 3 Papers

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Keeping young minds in mind

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  1. Aurora Bracelli Keeping young minds in mind

  2. AIMSNEEDS of the CHILD in Family Therapy Examples - Development - FT models - Research - EngagementOpportunity to Experiment

  3. WORKSHOP PLAN • Review: 3 Papers • Lobatto, W. (2002) • Dowling, E. (1993) • Rober, Peter (1998) • Case StudyWhite and Epston’s (1990) Role Play • Feedback

  4. Lobatto, W. (2002) Talking to Children about Family Therapy: a qualitative research study. • Journal of Family Therapy 24: 330-343

  5. Korner & Brown (1990) • Reasons • Therapist’s Discomfort • Sensitivity issues • Reasons to Include: • Externalising; White & Epston (1990).

  6. Lobatto’s curiosity aroused Therapist’s position? Lobatto found that........children appreciated therapist being in an active as well as more passive but alert position , moving between adapted questions and including their parents.......therapist’s listening skills was also important........ Discuss

  7. Dowling. E (1993) Are family therapists listening to the young? A psychological perspective • Journal of Family Therapy 15, 403-411

  8. Dowling (i) • Reviews Attachment Theoryin order to understand children in the developmental context • He draws attention to the implications for work undertaken in the therapy session, with focus on the parent-child relationship

  9. Dowling (ii) Implications in Theory • Attaining Secure Pattern • May represent a therapy goal • Internal Working Model • Developed through interactions between child/caregiver • Attachment Style • organisation of thought and language • view of self and others

  10. Thought Provocations • Can Attachment Theory provide a framework for understanding interactions that is helpful to therapist and client? • Can Attachment Theory promote parental understanding of the child’s behaviours as developmental expression of need? • Can Attachment Theory promote reframing of anger/anxiety as a reflection of frustration or uncertainty in context of relationship with parent?

  11. Implications for Practice • Parental responsibilities - acknowledging that parenthood brings demands and constraints • Therapists can create space for parents to think about the impact of their decisions for their children • Examination of child’s perception of events [holding in mind developmental issues] - may assist in promoting understanding of complex emotions surrounding difficulties and dilemmas Discuss

  12. Coherence • Attachment research shows coherent narratives are critical to the development of security in adulthood, and.... • Acknowledges importance and need for children to make sense of experiences, also.... • Assists parents to pay attention to how child might be experiencing a situation - co-construct narratives (through curiosity and reflection)

  13. Rober, Peter (1998) Reflections on ways to create a safe therapeutic culture for children in family therapy. Family Process 37: 201-213

  14. Rober (i) • When a family comes to therapy, they tell a story, with a selection of things told and other things left untold (White and Epston, 1990; Rober, P 1998) • Rober is a Clinical Psychologist as well as a trained Family Therapist. • He stresses the importance of children as well as their parents/carers being involved and engaged in family therapy. • States that the exclusion of children is sometimes planned, but for most family therapists is often a default position......What are some possible reasons?

  15. Rober’s POSSIBLE REASONS • Family therapists are not at ease with non-verbal orientated techniques- they prefer verbal modes of communication • The unpredictability of non-verbal techniques • General unpredictability of children - combination of these often too risky for some therapists • Lastly he points towards the therapists’ own experiences of childhood, which can also have an impact on their ability to engage the child.

  16. CREATION OF A SAFE THERAPEUTIC CONTEXT • Rober refers to the importance of creating a safe therapeutic culture for the family. • He cites Pare’s (1996) description:“The meeting of two cultures”to describe the process of therapy. • He gives attention and values basic counselling skills eg empathy and respect, and states how their use can facilitate a context wherein families are more likely to tell their story.

  17. CHILDREN IN THERAPY • Are children in therapy spontaneous, open and likely to reveal what they are thinking/feeling?Consider the formality of this situation....Do you find it conducive to openness and spontaneity? • Rober thinks not! • Instead believes children are often cautious The world is a complex place and one can’t predict the reaction of some adults • To some extent I agree. However I also have experienced some children to be open and spontaneous. • What do you think? Discuss

  18. WORKING TOWARD A SAFE THERAPEUTIC CONTEXT FOR THE CHILD • Rober provided the following guidelines to move the therapist toward creating a safe therapeutic culture for the child: • being prepared • a good start • communication and play • siblings • parents • word interpretations and therapist • Engage with experimental learning

  19. Case study • Small Group Role-Play‘Externalising the Problem’ - White & Epston (1990) • groups of 5 people • 1 person for each family member (mother + 2 children) • 1 person therapist + 1 observer You have 20 mins (15-min role-play + 5-min feedback)

  20. FEEDBACK PLEASE

  21. References • Dowling, E (1993) Are family therapists listening to the young? A psychological perspective Journal of Family Therapy 15, 403-411 • Korner, S. & Brown, G. (1990) Exclusion of children from family psychotherapy: Family Therapists Beliefs & Practices. Journal of Family Psychology, 3: 420-430 • Lobatto, W. (2002) Talking to Children about Family Therapy: a qualitative research study, Journal of Family Therapy 24: 330-343 • Moore, L., Seu, B. (2011) Giving Children a Voice: children’s positioning in family therapy, Journal of Family Therapy 33: 279-301 • Rober, Peter (1998) Reflections on ways to create a safe therapeutic culture for children in family therapy. Family Process 37: 201-213 • Stith, S., Rosen, K., McCollum, E., Coleman, J., Herman, S.S. (1996) The Voices of Childre: Pre-adolescent Childrens’ Experiences in Family Therapy. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 22: 69-86 • Strickland-Clark, L., Campbell, D. & Dallos, R. (2000) Children’s & Adolescent’s Views on Family Therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 22: 324-341 • White, M., Epston, D (1990) Narrative Means to TherapeuticEnds. London: Norton

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