Advanced Practice with Families in CYC

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course.

• Theoretical perspectives on the family and the process of change, including, but not limited to: family systems theory, experiential (Satir), solution focused therapy, and narrative approaches.
• Family life cycles vary.  Therefore, there are several ways to work with families.  Child and Youth Care Counsellors work towards developing an appreciation for the diversity of families.
• Socio-political, cultural and economic factors are frequently major systemic influences on families.  A helping relationship develops when the Child and Youth Care Counsellor begins to appreciate a family’s socio-political, cultural and life cycle experience.
• An application of the family systems model to the Child and Youth Care Counsellor’s family of origin deepens the worker’s understanding of the model, of families and her/him self.
• Child and Youth Care Counsellor’s utilize a strength-based approach to family assessment and intervention.
• Parent education models often provide an opportunity to engage parents in developmental work from a normative perspective.
• ntegrated Case Management and Wraparound planning models strive to support collaborative work with the larger systems in the lives of clients and families.
• Families have their own perspective on the helping relationship which may transform the worker’s philosophy and style of family work.  Families may struggle with a variety of systemic and situational issues, as well as have their own innovative, strength-based, solutions.
• It is often the CYC Counsellor’s ability to listen, think, and respond with warmth and genuineness which builds relationships.  The CYC Counsellor’s ability to empathize and create an environment for change is developed through understanding and practice.