Week 3 Intervention With Families Are Complicated

Week 3 Intervention With Familiesfamilies Are Complicated Systems Tha

Families are complicated systems that continually evolve. The structure of the family system can change due to circumstances that occur within the family or in a social environment. When a family is exposed to a traumatic event, whether it is a spouse returning home from war or a tragedy within the community, each family member is affected. The more members in the family system, the more factors the clinical social worker has to take into account. Finding an intervention that meets the needs of the individual members and the family as a whole can be challenging.

No one intervention will fit all families. It is crucial that the intervention is appropriate for that particular family and that it addresses their specific issues. Learning Objectives Students will: Analyze evidence-based interventions for families Identify behaviors related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Analyze PTSD interventions for families Analyze group process skills Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Holosko, M. J., Dulmus, C. N., & Sowers, K. M. (2013). Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Chapter 10, “Intervention With Families” (pp. 265–294) Saltzman, W. R. (2016). The FOCUS Family Resilience Program: An innovative family intervention for trauma and loss. Family process, 55(4), Wheeler, D. P., & Bragin, M. (2007). Bringing it all back home: Social work and the challenge of returning veterans. Health & Social Work, 32(4), 297–300. Mullen, E. J., Bledsoe, S. E., & Bellamy, J. L. (2008). Implementing evidence-based social work practice. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(4), 325–338. Required Media Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013c). Levy (Episode 1) [Video file]. In Sessions. Baltimore, MD: Producer. Retrieved from Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes. Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript Discussion: Trauma and Loss With seemingly never-ending violence, natural disasters, and soldiers returning home from wars growing numbers of people are suffering long-lasting mental health crises. It is imperative for clinical social workers to implement effective interventions that address trauma and loss within families.

For this discussion, view the “Levy” video. By Day 3, post a description of how the trauma-related behaviors evident in the Levy video affect family interactions and the family system. Identify the problems in this case and explain whether these problems would best be addressed through individual treatment, family treatment, or a combination of both. Review the literature and recommend an evidence-based family intervention that might help Jake and Sheri and their sons. Describe how the intervention is implemented and its underlying theory. Explain how this intervention might help the Levy family and ameliorate the presenting problems. Finally, describe why you chose this intervention. Use this week’s resources or the literature to support your conclusions. By Day 5, respond to a colleague’s intervention choice that differs from yours. Contrast the underlying theories of the two interventions. Explain whether you agree or disagree with your colleague’s identification of the problem and recommendation to address the problem through individual and/or family treatment.

Paper For Above instruction

The Levy family's case vividly demonstrates how trauma-related behaviors can profoundly disrupt family dynamics and functioning. Jake's daily alcohol consumption, anger outbursts, withdrawal, and depression reflect the impact of trauma and possibly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms not only impair Jake's personal well-being but also impose significant stress on Sheri and their children, Jose and the family system at large. The children witnessing their father's distress and substance abuse are at increased risk for developmental and emotional difficulties. Such trauma-related behaviors jeopardize healthy communication, attachment, and emotional security within the family, emphasizing the need for targeted intervention.

The core problem lies in the compounded effects of trauma, substance abuse, and subsequent familial discord. These problems can be addressed through a combination of individual and family treatments. Individual therapy is essential for Jake to process his trauma, manage substance use, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Conversely, family therapy can repair communication, rebuild trust, and improve family cohesion disrupted by trauma-related stressors. A comprehensive treatment plan can help address the complex web of issues affecting the Levy family.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) emerges as an evidence-based individual intervention suitable for Jake. This modality integrates cognitive-behavioral principles with exposure techniques designed explicitly to treat PTSD and trauma-related behaviors (Ramirez de Arellano et al., 2014). TF-CBT involves structured sessions that help clients process traumatic memories, challenge maladaptive beliefs, and develop adaptive coping skills. Its efficacy in reducing trauma symptoms and associated behavioral problems has been well documented (Cohen et al., 2017). Implementing TF-CBT with Jake would enable him to work through unresolved trauma, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and decrease reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Complementing individual treatment, the Focus Family Resilience Program offers a family-centered approach aimed at mobilizing family strengths and fostering resilience amid adversity. Saltzman (2016) emphasizes that this intervention supports families in creating a shared narrative of their experiences, enhancing emotional regulation, and developing problem-solving skills collaboratively. The program’s strengths-based, family-level focus aids in rebuilding trust, improving communication, and reducing conflict—essential factors for families affected by trauma. Its implementation involves family sessions where members discuss their experiences, identify sources of resilience, and set collective goals. The theoretical underpinning aligns with systems theory and resilience theory, emphasizing the family as an interconnected unit capable of fostering recovery and growth.

The integration of TF-CBT and the Focus Family Resilience Program offers a holistic approach to addressing the Levy family's complex needs. This combined strategy acknowledges the significance of individual trauma processing while simultaneously enhancing family dynamics. Such a tailored intervention can reduce trauma symptoms, improve communication, and strengthen relational bonds, ultimately fostering emotional healing for all family members.

The rationale for choosing this combined approach is grounded in evidence indicating that individual trauma therapy effectively alleviates PTSD symptoms, whereas family interventions bolster support systems and address relational issues (Holosko, Dulmus, & Sowers, 2013; Saltzman, 2016). The dual approach ensures that the family not only copes with trauma but also rebuilds their collective resilience, creating a sustainable environment for recovery. This integrated model aligns with best practices outlined in recent literature, emphasizing the importance of multidimensional treatments for trauma-affected families.

References

• Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., Klietheres, E. M., & Verdick, A. (2017). Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents. The Guilford Press.
• Holosko, M. J., Dulmus, C. N., & Sowers, K. M. (2013). Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Ramirez de Arellano, M. A., Lyman, D. R., Jobe-Shields, L., George, P., Dougherty, R. H., Daniels, A. S., Ghose, S. S., Huang, L., & Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. (2014). Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Assessing the Evidence. Psychiatric Services, 65(8), 1001–1009.
• Saltzman, W. R. (2016). The FOCUS Family Resilience Program: An innovative family intervention for trauma and loss. Family Process, 55(4), 623–638.
• Wheeler, D. P., & Bragin, M. (2007). Bringing it all back home: Social work and the challenge of returning veterans. Health & Social Work, 32(4), 297–300.
• Mullen, E. J., Bledsoe, S. E., & Bellamy, J. L. (2008). Implementing evidence-based social work practice. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(4), 325–338.
• Plummer, S., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.
• Wheeler, D. P., & Bragin, M. (2007). Bringing it all back home: Social work and the challenge of returning veterans. Health & Social Work, 32(4), 297–300.
• Additional references from academic journals and trauma treatment literature to support evidence-based practices.