Aurora Bracelli

KEEPING YOUNG MINDS IN MIND

KEEPING YOUNG MINDS IN MIND

1

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

2

WORKSHOP PLAN

• Review: 3 Papers• Lobatto, W. (2002) • Dowling, E. (1993) • Rober, Peter (1998)

• Case StudyWhite and Epston’s (1990) Role Play

• Feedback

3

4

• 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).

5

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

6

7

• 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

8

•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

• 9

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?

10

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

11

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)

12

13

• 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.

15

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.

16

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

18

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

19

20

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

21