Level I Family Assessment (Structure and Function)

This two-day knowledge-based training is for professionals who regularly work with children, adolescents, and their families and are looking for specialized knowledge in assessing and understanding family dynamics that may be influencing their client/students behaviour and functioning both at school and at home. The first phase of the training is the "respectful" application of family systems theory to each participants family of origin through the use of genograms (note: no one has access to other participants genograms). Understanding how our own family of origin has influenced our functioning helps us to better understand others. A little understood reality is that a practioner's own family of origin and dynamics can significantly influence their professional work and, if they are not aware, can complicate individual and family interventions dramatically. The second phase of the training focuses on the structure and function of high-risk families. Through case studies, issues of underfunctioning and overfunctioning will be addressed, as well as the influence of sibling position, family projection, symptom bearers, and the dynamics and effects of abuse.

Level II Family Interviewing and Interventions:

Building upon the Level I training in family assessment, this two-day training focuses on skill-development in clinical interviewing of families and individuals regarding family dynamics and influences. How we talk to families, whom we talk to in families, and when we talk to them in the "interview" should be a strategic process based on an understanding of the principles of family structure and function. Through case studies, skill demonstration, and role-plays, participants will be given the opportunity to practice family systems interviewing. Many professionals have taken an early interest in working with families but often find managing an entire family system in an interview too complex and sometimes disastrous! Interviewing, assessing, and intervening in family systems are not the same as working with individuals: it is an experience of its own.