Advanced Practice Training: Client-Focused Therapy for Separated Families.
Opening statement:
This training is designed to be a follow up to individuals who have been trained in the Child-Focused Separated Family Training in the years 2017 thru 2019. Participants will have a brief review of the CFT Model and it’s founding principles and assumptions. We will then shift our focus on skill development and practice. The idea is for participants to become more proficient CFT Model Practitioners, honing their skills through role-plays and case studies which will develop insight and competence into this process.
There are many psychological forces that interfere with successful co-parenting. We know that children in households with parents in chronic conflict are at greater risk of mental illness, substance abuse, academic, legal and social problems.
Child Focused Therapy for Separated Families unique model that addresses issues that interfere with successful co-parenting. The model pulls from a variety of theoretical models,and adapts them to work with conflicted families.
- It provides guidance to the therapist on what to do, from the time a parent calls inquiring about therapy, through the conclusion of the therapeutic process.
- Each step is designed to address forces that interfere with co-parenting.
- The therapist engages all parties, establishing neutrality, and focuses on the child’s best interest.
- The crux of the model includes a “semi-confidential check-in”, using this approach the child participates in all sessions while parents alternate.
- This model provides a highly effective process for the best chance for success, a clear path to treatment that will prevent either parent from being able to hijack or manipulate the process.
- Finally, for those most difficult families who refuse to agree to utilize the model, it provides an opportunity to refer them to a more intensive service, without getting sucked into unhealthy dynamics for the therapist or the child.
Learning Objectives:
- Review effective strategies to reduce stress and anxiety of children in conflicted families.
- Review the Child-Centered therapy model for working with separated families in conflict.
- Review strategies to avoid getting stuck in the middle of a family conflict when working with separated families.
- Learn effective techniques to help motivate parents to put their children’s needs over the anger they feel towards each other.
- Review bias and its impact on work with separated families (professionals, parents and children).
- Practice, Practice, Practice the skills needed to be successful while implementing the CFT Model .
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This workshop has applied for 6 CEs by Maine Board of Psychologists