PSS 6610 Beginning Work with Children, Parents, Family

Nearly all theoretical orientations consider the family environment central to the development of the individual, though the extent to which and how these are addressed in treatment may vary. Working with children and adolescents necessarily involves working with their parents, and very often the family (in which the child is the identified patient) needs help. Furthermore, the therapeutic alliance with parents has been shown to be predictive of child outcomes. Yet individual psychotherapy and family psychotherapy are often considered distinct approaches with separate training paths. To bridge this gap, this course will provide an overview of theories and research related to treating children and their families, including attachment-based, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and family systems approaches. We will discuss key issues around assessment of family history and dynamics, when and how to include parents and siblings in treatment, working with transference and countertransference, techniques and tasks for intervening, and psychoeducational and behavioral strategies for parents. Finally, we will explore specific issues that may be addressed in treatment, including mourning and loss, culture and immigration, child abuse and neglect, foster care and adoption, high expressed emotion, disordered eating, and marital conflicts. Prerequisite(s): Permission from instructor required.

Credits

3