Page 21 - AFCC Australian Conference 2018

Workshop
Workshop 13 When a Child Rejects or Resists Contact with a Parent Following Separation: Developing Best Outcomes for Family
Therapy.
Clinical Psychologist, Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Sydney, New South Wales
Chair: Ms Kirstie Colls
Room: Balcony 1/2 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
Dr Janina Szyndler
Therapeutic interventions aimed at families where a child is displaying some resistance or rejection of a parent can be challenging. Although researchers have made substantial progress in terms of identifying risk factors, developing assessment tools, and identifying long-term consequences, there is still a lot that remains unclear in terms of what makes for effective therapeutic outcomes. Rates of resolution of dif culties, even in intensive programs, can be low. Ineffective therapy can risk needlessly delaying court proceedings. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify factors that predict good outcomes and make interventions effective. This presentation draws on research, as well as clinical material from practice, to present a framework for interventions. The presentation looks at some of the organisational and external factors which impacts on good outcomes. It also seeks to identify some psychological factors, such as capacity to mentalize, which can help distinguish parents and children who can respond positively to psychological intervention.
Workshop 14 Consultative Support for Family Justice Professionals.
Room: Balcony 3/4
Mr Timothy McMichael 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
NZ Law Awards Mediator of the Year 2017 and Manager of the Family Works Resolution Service, Auckland, New Zealand
Chair: Dr David List
Lawyers, Judges, Court reporters or writers, Family Mediators or Psychologists commonly receive some kind of supervision, peer review or consultative support as part of their annual registration, for ongoing going professional development and quite possibly for their sanity and personal well-being.
While many have heard of, and use, work place or clinical supervision, Balint Groups are not so well known. Balint Groups have been around for 50 year or more and are the primary way that GP’s receive their Peer Group Supervisor; indeed participation in a Balint group is recommended by the Australian and New Zealand Royal Colleges of General Practitioners.
Balint groups can also be an excellent environment for Family Justice professionals to obtain peer support and continuing professional credit points. In a Balint Group, participants enjoy a secure, con dential environment to look at those ‘heart sink’ cases.
This interactive workshop offers a brief introduction to the theory and application of a Balint group model of peer supervision, followed by a demonstration of a Balint Group and ending with a brief evaluation and summary.
AFCC
AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER
afccnet.org.au | e: ausafcc@gmail.com 21.