Therapy Process
Research literature clearly indicates that the most effective treatment for ADHD should always include behavior therapy, regardless of a child’s age (Visser et al., 2015). Specifically for children under six years, it is the best option and considered the first step of treatment ("Behavior Therapy," n.d.). Behavior therapy is actually delivered to the parents. They are trained to implement strategies and utilize skills in specific ways which facilitate and foster their child’s efforts to thrive in relationships and at school and home ("Behavior Therapy," n.d.). A notable and encouraging finding is that families are more likely to stay engaged with behavior therapy, specifically a filial therapy program, longer than in more …show more content…
The relationship-focused perspective will address Jack’s self-esteem as well as the negative-focused relationship with Rod and Rita (VanFleet, 2014). The process of filial therapy involves assessment, training, supervised play sessions, home play sessions, generalization, and a closing phase (VanFleet, 2014). One might expect that fifteen to twenty sessions, each an hour long, will be required for this family (Topham & VanFleet, 2011). The focus on education and skills with an emphasis on family strengths while refraining from pathologizing (Topham & VanFleet, 2011) either Jack or his caregivers will likely make the process more amenable to the family. Rod and Rita are called “papa” and “maw-maw” by Jack; however, they have been his primary caregivers and function as parents in his life. Utilizing their child-parent relationship as the primary method for change capitalizes on the assumption that “parents are the most significant adults in children’s lives and are likely to have a greater impact…than any therapist could” (VanFleet, 2014, p. 10). A therapist using the filial process believes that individuals and families are capable of resolving problems and overcoming challenges when familial relationships are functioning well (Topham & VanFleet, …show more content…
This stage is most clearly marked by the generalization of the newly mastered skills. Rod and Rita will be demonstrating confidence and competency in their ability to apply the skills they have mastered into their daily interactions with Jack and each other. They will be acknowledging (without judgment) the feelings and underlying motivation for Jack’s behavior (Ginsberg, 2012). Jack will be exhibiting less problematic behaviors as he will feeling better understood and supported. In that process, he will also start gaining “mastery” over his feelings and ability to regulate his actions (Ginsberg, 2012). They will all experience a warmer and more accepting atmosphere and a more secure parent-child
Research literature clearly indicates that the most effective treatment for ADHD should always include behavior therapy, regardless of a child’s age (Visser et al., 2015). Specifically for children under six years, it is the best option and considered the first step of treatment ("Behavior Therapy," n.d.). Behavior therapy is actually delivered to the parents. They are trained to implement strategies and utilize skills in specific ways which facilitate and foster their child’s efforts to thrive in relationships and at school and home ("Behavior Therapy," n.d.). A notable and encouraging finding is that families are more likely to stay engaged with behavior therapy, specifically a filial therapy program, longer than in more …show more content…
The relationship-focused perspective will address Jack’s self-esteem as well as the negative-focused relationship with Rod and Rita (VanFleet, 2014). The process of filial therapy involves assessment, training, supervised play sessions, home play sessions, generalization, and a closing phase (VanFleet, 2014). One might expect that fifteen to twenty sessions, each an hour long, will be required for this family (Topham & VanFleet, 2011). The focus on education and skills with an emphasis on family strengths while refraining from pathologizing (Topham & VanFleet, 2011) either Jack or his caregivers will likely make the process more amenable to the family. Rod and Rita are called “papa” and “maw-maw” by Jack; however, they have been his primary caregivers and function as parents in his life. Utilizing their child-parent relationship as the primary method for change capitalizes on the assumption that “parents are the most significant adults in children’s lives and are likely to have a greater impact…than any therapist could” (VanFleet, 2014, p. 10). A therapist using the filial process believes that individuals and families are capable of resolving problems and overcoming challenges when familial relationships are functioning well (Topham & VanFleet, …show more content…
This stage is most clearly marked by the generalization of the newly mastered skills. Rod and Rita will be demonstrating confidence and competency in their ability to apply the skills they have mastered into their daily interactions with Jack and each other. They will be acknowledging (without judgment) the feelings and underlying motivation for Jack’s behavior (Ginsberg, 2012). Jack will be exhibiting less problematic behaviors as he will feeling better understood and supported. In that process, he will also start gaining “mastery” over his feelings and ability to regulate his actions (Ginsberg, 2012). They will all experience a warmer and more accepting atmosphere and a more secure parent-child