Treatment for Overwhelmed Families Affected by Sexual Abuse
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Professionals working with families affected by sexual abuse often encounter moments of feeling overwhelmed. This can happen when there is uncertainty about treatment direction or when the family is not progressing and appears to be stuck. Such feelings often reflect the fact that the families themselves are overwhelmed. Common reasons include:
- Previous involvement with services that didn’t help them
- Ambivalence about change
- Grief and missing the life they had before abuse occurred
- Anxiety about the future of family members
- Conflicting loyalties with respect to those who have abused versus those who have been harmed
- Urgent external concerns, such as financial issues or caring for other family members
In this training, Amanda Pryor explores methods and techniques for engaging families experiencing these challenges, while also addressing the professionals’ own feelings of being overwhelmed. This includes how to carefully redefine one’s approach when previous providers have not been helpful, such as by shifting from interventions that may unintentionally target parents to more inclusive family support methods.
By better using proven engagement techniques, professionals can guide families through difficult changes and ease their feelings of being overwhelmed. The training emphasizes the use of motivational interviewing specifically to foster a supportive environment during treatment. Additionally, it offers ideas on how to effectively assist family reunification efforts at times when families are facing pressures from outside agencies, financial strain, and other challenges.
1) Explain three strategies for working with overwhelmed families
2) Describe characteristics of effective professionals working with families
3) Use motivational interviewing techniques to enhance family engagement and support
4) Identify resources and conditions necessary for safe family reunification in the wake of sexual abuse
Audience
This training is for professionals—including social workers, psychologists, counselors, probation officers, case managers, and other mental health professionals—who work with families or family members who have caused sexual harm or been harmed by a family member.
Content Level
Disclosure
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Who's Presenting
Amanda L. Pryor, MSW, LCSW, CSAYC, ATSA-F
Amanda Pryor, MSW, LCSW, CSAYC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over eighteen years of experience. She is a graduate of Indiana University School of Social Work. Her specialty is working with adolescents who have engaged in sexually harmful behavior. She is the Director and is credentialed with IN-AJSOP, Indiana’s Initiative to Advance the Treatment of Sexually Maladaptive Youth. Currently, as the director of IN-AJSOP she provides credentialing services for professionals in field of sexual maladaptive behaviors. Amanda is also the Juvenile Representative on the ATSA Board.