Post on 29-Jan-2016
Aurora Bracelli
KEEPING YOUNG MINDS IN MIND
KEEPING YOUNG MINDS IN MIND
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AIMS
NEEDS OF THE CHILD IN FAMILY THERAPY
EXAMPLES - DEVELOPMENT - FT MODELS - RESEARCH - ENGAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIMENT
AIMS
NEEDS OF THE CHILD IN FAMILY THERAPY
EXAMPLES - DEVELOPMENT - FT MODELS - RESEARCH - ENGAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIMENT
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WORKSHOP PLAN
• Review: 3 Papers• Lobatto, W. (2002) • Dowling, E. (1993) • Rober, Peter (1998)
• Case StudyWhite and Epston’s (1990) Role Play
• Feedback
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• Lobatto, W. (2002) Talking to Children about Family Therapy: a qualitative research study.
• Journal of Family Therapy 24: 330-343
Korner & Brown (1990)
Reasons Therapist’s Discomfort Sensitivity issues
Reasons to Include: Externalising; White & Epston
(1990).
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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
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• Dowling. E (1993) Are family therapists listening to the young? A psychological perspective
• Journal of Family Therapy 15, 403-411
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
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•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
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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?
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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
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Discuss
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)
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• Rober, Peter (1998) Reflections on ways to create a safe therapeutic culture for children in family therapy. Family Process 37: 201-213
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?14
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.
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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.
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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? Discuss17
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
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Small Group Role-Play
‘Externalising the Problem’ - White & Epston (1990)
groups of 5 people1 person for each family member (mother + 2 children)1 person therapist + 1 observer
You have 20 mins (15-min role-play + 5-min feedback)
Case study
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FEEDBACK PLEASE
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 Therapeutic Ends. London: Norton
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