Joining Forces: Engaging Families in Child and Adolescent Treatment

Presenter: Jonah Green, LCSW-C

CEUs: Category 1 | 3.0 

Decades of clinical experience and research show that involving parents and families in the mental health treatment of children and adolescents improves outcomes. Family involvement is associated with reduced symptoms, improved functioning, stronger parenting skills, enhanced relationships, and better adherence to treatment. Despite these benefits, many barriers prevent clinicians from meaningfully involving families in treatment. This active, experiential workshop will offer concrete strategies for overcoming these barriers and engaging families more effectively in therapy. Through role-plays and clinical exercises, participants will enhance their skills in building therapeutic alliances with families and incorporating them meaningfully into the treatment of children and teens.

Workshop Objectives:

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify common barriers to parent participation and two strategies for overcoming them

2. Name three strategies for engaging families in child and adolescent treatment.

3. Name three techniques for conducting parent sessions

4. Name three strategies for enhancing family therapy sessions

5. Name three strategies for collaborating with families in individual child and adolescent treatment

Recommended Reading:

• Gil, Eliana, 2016. Play in Family Therapy: Guilford
• Lowenstein, 2011: Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families: Practitioners Share Their Most Effective Techniques: Champion Press
• Myrick, Amie, 2017: Engaging Parents in Adolescent Therapy: Rowman and Littlefield
• Nelson, Thorana, 2018: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Families, Routledge 
• Patterson Et. Al., 2018. Essential Skills in Family Therapy: Guilford
• Rivet Et. Al., 201.8 Family Therapy Skills and Techniques in Action    
• Rivett and Street, 200. Family Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques: Routledge
• Satir, Virginia 1984 Satir Step-by-Step: Science and Behavior Books
• Weinblatt, 2019. Uri Shame Regulation with Families: Springer

About the Presenter:

www.jgatherapy.com