Improving Children's Wellbeing with Psychological Interventions

Jason

Psychological interventions have shown to lead to significant improvements in a children’s functioning both academically and socially (Grych & Fincham, 1992; Lee, Picard, & Blain, 1994; O’Halloran & Carr, 2000). A primary focus is to assist children cope with divorce related stressors by building cognitive behavioural skills such as problem solving; impulse and anger control, communication and relaxation (Stolberg & Mahler, 1994; Emery, Kitzmann, & Waldron, 1999). Linking Jason in with a physical outlet such as soccer or basketball will assist Jason’s psychological and social wellbeing.

I recommend that we engage in consultation with Jason’s teachers which may serve as a preventative measure in the sense that teachers may gain more

Children are often over diagnosed and medicated unnecessarily because parents and teachers are impatient with inattentive, active behaviour that is within normal range. There are a few alternative treatment approaches including a treatment approach that combines medication with interventions that model and reinforce appropriate social and academic behaviour (American Academy of Paediatrics, 2005; Smith, Barkley, & Shapiro, 2006). Diet, vitamin supplements and herbs have been found to have positive effects. Family intervention is crucial however. Children that are inattentive and overactive strain the patience of parents who are like Linda likely to react punitively and inconsistently a child- rearing style that only reinforces defiant, aggressive behaviour (Barkley,

By addressing Jason’s behavioural issue and Linda being more consistent in her parenting from a systems perspective, I believe that this will have a flow on effect for Cindy’. Cindy will undoubtedly benefit from engaging in fun activities with her family to build and strengthen family relations. In addition, consultation with her teacher at school to monitor the situation would be advisable. Play therapy with Cindy will also be effective to address any anger or self-blame that Cindy may harbour over her parent’s separation.

Summary

In an overview of this case study we are using the Collaborative Family Model, Family Systems and attachment theory to inform the family assessment, engagement and intervention. Jason’s problems at school take precedence because of the legal issues involved. Use caution approaching the situation as the family may need time to trust us, often initially working on how the family communicate may flow into Jason’s behaviour at school (Trotter, 2013).

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