How to Give Voice to Children in Family Therapy

Andolfi, Maurizio

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-39061-1_10

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…Often the parents present to the clinic strongly believing that their main problem is their child’s emotional or behavioural manifestations (Andolfi, 2016 ; O’Reilly, 2015 ). In these circumstances, the challenge of the systemic therapist is to find ways to work with parents that help them shift their position from blaming the child.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Therapeutic Alliance with Parents and their Children Working Through a Relational Trauma in the Family

Gilson

Abela

2021

Contemp Fam Ther

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This study is about how a therapeutic alliance is created and maintained with parents and their children working through a relational trauma. A case study design with narrative analysis as a method of research (Riessman, 2008) and a narrative approach of storying stories, inspired by McCormack (2000), is used. The participants of this study are the parents and their four children, aged between 14 and 5 years, and their systemic therapist. Rich data on the therapeutic alliance is gathered through, two live-family session observations and seven interviews, six of which were with the family members, and a two-part interview held with their therapist. Results show that the way of being of the therapist, including her ability to be intuitive and self-reflexive, and her ability to keep manoeuvrability in conversation and hold neutrality support her to connect with all the family. Creating conjoint and separate therapeutic spaces, using a creative play-based approach and navigating an alliance with the school and medical professionals, were important suggestions for practice in the field. Additionally, collaborating with parents, and balancing the benefits and drawbacks of involving children to make therapy meaningful for all, are also suggested. Specific recommendations for engagement with siblings of the identified-problem child are elicited. The strength of this study is that children’s voices, along with those of their parents’ and their systemic therapist are reported. Suggestions for practice to support children and their families who are working through a relational trauma are brought forward.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Therapeutic Alliance with Parents and their Children Working Through a Relational Trauma in the Family

Gilson

Abela

2021

Contemp Fam Ther

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The bottom‐up approach in multigenerational family therapy: The child as the family guide

Andolfi

2024

J Marital Family Therapy

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In therapy, the child is mainly seen as a problem to be labeled or as a victim of various forms of abuse. The idea of the child as a therapeutic resource is the central point of my article where children's symptoms are quickly reframed and get a relational meaning in the family. Once the relational competence of the child is appreciated and his voice is heard, the child becomes a special guide to explore the emotional world of his family, and the genogram can provide a wonderful platform to start this therapeutic journey. Using a multigenerational lens, I describe how to explore family development with a “bottom‐up approach.” Intergenerational questions can be asked to the child and with his help relevant family events can emerge and broken bonds repaired. The therapeutic results I expect are the resolution of children's problems and family transformation.

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Padri rifugiati. Vulnerabilità e resilienza

Papadopoulos¹,

Gionakis²

2017

Terapia Familiare

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How to Give Voice to Children in Family Therapy

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

The Therapeutic Alliance with Parents and their Children Working Through a Relational Trauma in the Family

The Therapeutic Alliance with Parents and their Children Working Through a Relational Trauma in the Family

The bottom‐up approach in multigenerational family therapy: The child as the family guide

Padri rifugiati. Vulnerabilità e resilienza

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