Reflection of the Multisystem Family Course The purpose of this reflection paper is portray the knowledge that I have learned throughout this semester regarding the multisystem utilized to identify traits and behaviors associated with the assessments of family members. Marta Lundy’s article gave a brief history of theoretical integration as she describe a multi-systemic, multi-theoretical integrative model for social work practice, even though each reading assignment was associated with a movie or a book provided by the instructor and required all students to provide a written analysis. The introductory of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutic (NMT), an evident based practice approach teaching the class of the clinical problem solving therapeutic technique, working with children, families and the communities and was accompanied with information on the various types of trauma and understanding the definition of trauma such as physical vs. psychological trauma; and restorative trauma. What I found interesting during the course, schools are now using the NMT to develop programs implementing procedures correcting a behavior that may have caused a child to act out dysfunctional behaviors. Although, the NMT study the sequences of a problem starting when the brain initially began to develop and analyze the stages to determine where the problem may have occurred leading to introduction of an article entitled, “Child brain” taken from the child Welfare Information
Terr, L. C. (1991). Childhood traumas: an outline and overview. Am J Psychiatry, 1, 48.
Shanell Bathersfield conducted a self-assessment. She initially determined that the systems theory was one that she was not comfortable with. Through the last few course weeks, she was able to gain an in-depth perspective on several theories that are impactful in the social work field. The coursework and utilizing Juana and Adelina as case studies, truly gave an exclusive insight on how theories are used to understand the client’s circumstances and improve their well-being.
Thought lecher and the course reading material, this semester has increased my knowledge about a variety of techniques and theories. While reading, The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy, there were several themes that could be commonly characterized in family therapy and the scenario of this book. Some of these techniques were, triangulation, resistance, transference, stress, and using or having a scapegoat (singling out one individual). Furthermore, some of the theories connected from this course to The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy were, General Systems Theory, and Family Systems Theory.
In the professional field of Social Work, there are many terminologies that individuals outside of this group may not understand. During the process of assessing a problem in a family, there are different theoretical perspectives that helps social workers understand different aspects of family situations. There are eight theoretical perspectives that helps social workers understand family’s dynamic and situations. These theoretical perspectives are; system perspective, conflict perspective, exchange and choice perspective, social constructionist perspective, psychodynamic perspective, developmental perspective, social behavior perspective and humanistic perspective.
The Sanchez family wants the local social service agency to provide a psychosocial assessment. As a social worker at the agency, they will apply sociocultural and social change lenses. To demonstrate an understanding how each of the theoretical or perspective lenses can apply to the Sanchez family case. To identify their problems, determine their skills and capacities, what they are doing well, how they accomplish it and then analyze ways that those strengths might apply to the identified problems.
It impacts the maturation of specific brain areas at particular ages, the physiological and neuro-endocrinological responses as well as impacting the ability to coordinate cognitions, behaviours and emotional regulation. Therefore, the effect of trauma is different in different developmental stages. Ornitz (1996) has listed critical periods of major structural changes in brain development in accordance with Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. This includes the periods between early childhood (1.5-4 years), late childhood (6-10 years), puberty and mid-adolescence. This ensures that there are widespread implications of trauma in childhood especially in terms of the age at which exposure to trauma occurs as well as the areas of the brain affected. For example, the volume of the brain shows a rapid increase in first two years (Matsuzawa et al., 2001), a time when the development of attachment also takes place. Moreover, this growth is more experience- dependent (Schore, 2001). Children below the age of two also show a greater right brain than left brain
The purpose of this paper is to conduct library research on early childhood trauma and its effects on brain development. This paper will discuss the consequences of early childhood trauma, specifically the manner in which it impacts brain development. Included will be a discussion of What tends to happen to people who experience early childhood trauma. Within the paper will be a description of the consequences of this type of trauma for the urban individual, family, community, or culture. This paper will then identify two of the most effective, evidenced based practice treatment models utilized for survivors of this form of trauma.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was stablished by Congress in 2000 and brings a comprehensive focus to childhood trauma. This network raises the average standard of care and improves access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. The NCTSN defines trauma‑focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF‑CBT) as an evidence‑based treatment approach that is shown to help children, adolescents, and their caregivers overcome trauma‑related difficulties. It is designed to reduce negative emotional and behavioral responses following a traumatic event. The treatment addresses distorted beliefs related to the abuse and provides a supportive environment so the individual can talk about their traumatic experience. TF‑CBT also helps parents cope with their own emotional issues and develop skills to support their children.
According to Richard Charles (2001) “the effectiveness of family systems theory rests not much on empirical research but on clinical reports of positive treatment outcomes, the personal benefits experienced by the families that underwent this kind of treatment, and the elegance of Bowen’s theory” (p. 279). Bowen’s family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit and is a theory of human behavior. Systems thinking are used to describe the complex interactions in the unit. However, the client’s ability to differentiate himself/herself from the family of origin is the basis for Bowen’s family systems theory. In addition, the primary focus for growth within the emotional system is differentiation of self. Differentiation of self
There are a variety of evidence based practices that are being implemented for children and families within the welfare system. Many of these contemporary evidence based practices can be found online. The website known as The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare contains a list of all the different evidence based practices related to topics such as, anger management, substance abuse treatment, interventions for neglect, and depression treatment. One successful contemporary evidence based practice that has shown great effectiveness is known as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The primary focus of this paper will consist of TF-CBT and will explore the methodology and effectiveness of this
Having a theoretical orientation as a counselor is important in working with clients in social work career. Theoretical orientation helps us as a social worker to attend to different challenges facing the clients and deal with family problems, behaviors and emotions. As a novice student, having a theoretical framework serve as a “road map.” The purpose of this paper is to explain the important of having a theoretical framework and its important when dealing with families, individuals and treatment groups.
Taking the TF-CBT training gave me a understanding of how to manage and provide services to children and families who experience traumatic events in their life. The training which consisted of different modules of techiniques to help identify and teach (to list a few) breathing techniques, stress management, and cognitive processing skills for children and parents, help parents optimize their childrens emotions and behavioral adjustment, and encourage children to share the traumatic experience ethier verbally or in the form of writing. Mastering these techniques will help me to improve quality care of traumtized children and families, reduce the impact of traumatic events, help children and families with coping skills and teach body/ awareness in sex education in case of physical and or sexual maltreatment.
Becvar, D. & Becvar R. (2009). Family therapy: a systemic integration. (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
My theoretical approach to family therapy is very integrative as I believe families cannot be described nor treated from a single-school approach. I view humans through a humanistic and existential lens but am more technically structural and solution-based. With this integrative approach, I believe I will be the most effective in helping families grow and reach their goals.
The therapeutic interventions discussed in chapter 6 are particularly informative for any person working with children. Selected from a number of therapeutic frameworks, such as Gestalt and Theraplay. Hughes breaks each type of intervention down and explains why they are significant and examples of how they are used. The holding