CHILD ABUSE COUNSELING PROGRAM

Child abuse emerges within the context of a family; therefore, it must be treated within that family setting, particularly if family reunification is planned.

Abuse impacts all family members, not just the child targeted for abuse; individual and collective needs must be considered while working with the family.

The following procedures are followed:

• Assessing Family Vulnerabilities
  
• Using Family Strengths
  
• Assessment with a Focus on Safety
  
• Setting a context for change and decreasing resistance
  

Summary of Abuse-Specific Work:

Treatment plans are designed to consider individual and collective needs. Formats are designed to facilitate participation. Steps in treatment plan are prioritized to consider children’s safety/needs first.

Behavior-directed work:

• Safety as priority
   
• Symptom—directed work
  
• Contracting
  

Attitude-directed work:

• Social issues
  
• Cultural issues
  
• Religious issues

System-directed work

• Communication (Verbalization vs. Acting Out)
  
• Need expression and reaching-out
  
• Realign family hierarchy/structure
  

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