ipl-logo

Foster Care Therapy Essay

3544 Words15 Pages

Alyssa Willis
Sister Harris
ENG 301
23 March 2023
The Need for Therapy in the Foster Care System
Children in the foster care system have often experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or other forms of instability that have left a lasting impact on their mental health and well-being. When children from newborn to 18 years old suffer from these forms of instability, they can be taken out of their homes and environment to be placed in the foster care system. For this reason, it is crucial that they receive appropriate therapy to help them process their experiences, build coping skills, and develop healthy relationships. Cognitive, filial, parent-child interaction therapy and antipsychotics are just a few examples of the types of therapy that can be …show more content…

In her article "Providing Therapy to Children and Families in Foster Care: A Systemic-Relational Approach," Catherine Lewis explores the benefits of a systemic-relational approach to therapy for children and families in the foster care system. Lewis has worked in the foster care system as a caseworker and caseworker supervisor for over 15 years as well as a family therapist. A systemic-relational approach considers the complex and often challenging dynamics that exist within the foster care system and works to address these issues collaboratively and holistically (Lewis 438). Through this approach, Lewis argues that therapists can help foster children and families build stronger relationships, develop greater resilience, and navigate the many challenges and transitions that come with life in the foster care system by “establishing a working relationship with the parents, holding a maintaining the relational stance” (Lewis 446). Ultimately, this can lead to improved mental health and well-being for foster children, and a greater likelihood of successful outcomes both during and after their time in foster care. It is The foster family must know how help the child in foster …show more content…

“Methods for Maximizing Good Effects of Foster Care: Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Discontinuities of Foster Care and Raise IQ.” International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2006, pp. 4–16. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1002/aps.46.
Lewis, Catherine. “Providing Therapy to Children and Families in Foster Care: A Systemic-Relational Approach.” Family Process, vol. 50, no. 4, Dec. 2011, pp. 436–52. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.byui.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2011.01370.x.
Onovbiona, Harlee, et al. “Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Children in Foster Care and Children with Posttraumatic Stress: Exploring Behavioral Outcomes and Graduation Rates in a Large State-Wide Sample.” Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 145, Feb. 2023. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106797.
Simmel, Cassandra, et al. “Antipsychotic Treatment for Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives on Improving Youths’ Experiences in Providing Informed Consent.” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, vol. 91, no. 2, 2021, pp. 258–70. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000532.supp

Show More
Related
1115 Words | 5 Pages

This book raised awareness to authorities on the kind of treatment happening and proposed a change for foster institutions and homes to be monitored. The story began by Ms. Rita, Jennings’s mom, walking Jennings to an orphanage called Home of the Angels. My initial reactions after reading the first chapter was how a mother could just leave her kid with anybody. The book immediately gained my

Read More
2477 Words | 10 Pages

Jeannette found comfort and security in having her basic needs met, something that she couldn’t find back at home. Her desire to remain in such an environment is supported by a systematic review led by Jackson et al. al (2023) which explores the various interventions to support children’s recovery from neglect. Interventions like Attachment Biobehavioral Catchup (ABC) parenting and Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) foster care demonstrated overall improvements in a child’s cognitive, behavioral, and emotional abilities. Given that many people admitted to a hospital have the desire to leave as soon as possible, these reported improvements make it easier to understand why Jeannette wanted to stay in that setting forever.

Read More
203 Words | 1 Pages

The foster care system shatters like broken glass and there is no repair for broken glass. Permanent damage can only be fixed with drastic solutions, redesigning the system is the method to follow. Foster parents go through hardships and trials while trying to adopt children. Children need stability and the parents willing to give them that they cannot be with forever. A reason for a shattered system is the result of a shattered admissions process.

Read More
673 Words | 3 Pages

The most common psychological problems developed by these children are ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. Many children suffer from attachment disorders from their foster families when taken in at a young age. Removing children from their home has proved to be traumatic to the psychological development of the child, thus creating a tough decision for child protective services when children cannot be taken in by family members (Lohr & Jones, 2016). Researchers have found that children who are in foster homes or congregate homes are more likely to be put on psychiatric medications including antianxiety, antipsychotics, stimulants, and

Read More
1346 Words | 6 Pages

It Is clear that although they may face increased risk for numerous negative outcomes, many foster and adopted children also display very high rates of resilience, especially when removed from circumstances of ongoing adversity and placed in stable, supportive, family-based care. (Fisher, 2015, p. 8). Fisher( 2015) states that there are many interventions that are being tried across the United States and the United Kingdom, however the ones that are proving to be most successful seem to have one common trait. “The interventions with the most promising results span the theoretical spectrum from attachment theory to social learning theory but are unified in their joint emphasis on child vulnerabilities and positive caregiving practices” (Fisher, 2015, p.10). These interventions are proving to be effective in diminishing the effects of early developmental issues, however these programs need to be made more accessible to all children in foster or adoptive homes (Fisher,

Read More
1132 Words | 5 Pages

a. Foster parents can have an impact on the lives of a foster child by giving them a safe place to stay where they can feel loved and cared for. Foster parents can also provide the love and support that these children need especially if they came from an abused or neglected home. According to (Hasenecz, 2009) there have been several shocking stories about children being abused and neglected while in foster care or even worse reports of social workers who knew of the abuse and neglect and failed to report it or do anything about

Read More
1054 Words | 5 Pages

Foster parents can also play a vital role in supporting reunification by providing a stable environment for the child during the transition period. Policymakers need to allocate more resources toward improving the foster care system. This includes increasing funding for social workers and providing better training programs for caseworkers. Increasing successful rates of reunification in foster care with biological families requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders involved in the process. Providing comprehensive support services to parents, improving communication between caseworkers and families, encouraging regular visitation between children and their parents, fostering stable environments through foster

Read More
2162 Words | 9 Pages

In 2020 there were approximately 407,493 children in the United States foster care system, all under the age of 20 (“The AFCARS Report”). Foster care plays a big role in providing homes for children that experience abusive homelives, loss of parents or guardians, or severe financial hardship at home. However, being in foster care takes a toll on many children, due to both previous trauma, and trauma experienced in the foster care system. In order to understand the foster care system, one must research how the system works, how it affects childrens’ physical health, how it affects their mental health, and how being in foster care affects childrens’ chances of being successful.

Read More
3789 Words | 16 Pages

Despite the dark light put on the foster care system, it is clear that the Foster Care Bill of Rights is necessary in order to ensure the childrens? safety and inform them of the rights that they have. It is guaranteed that the children within the system have already had a difficult life thus far, so they must be cared for as much as possible. Even though it is unavoidable that the child will struggle with their own mental difficulties, this act does the best work possible to help the children through this tough journey. Foster care has a bad reputation due to the abuse

Read More
1441 Words | 6 Pages

The foster care system has been around since the 1900s and has impacted millions of children’s lives. Since its creation, the system has rapidly grown and has had to receive outside aid to support the increasing number of children entering foster care. Although the foster care system has positive intentions, it has negatively impacted hundreds of children's lives, broken apart families, and has proven to have discrimination factors. There are over 500,000 children in foster care in the United States, most of whom have been victims of abuse and neglect. The circumstances have not let these children experience a stable and supportive environment during their early years of life.

Read More
1182 Words | 5 Pages

The purpose of this study to identify a preventive notion to improve high school graduation rates among children in foster care. An innovative therapeutic mentoring program that will not only decrease the chances of foster youth dropping out of high school, but it will also increase the chances of them furthering their education. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System there are over 400,000 children in foster care (AFCARS, 2010). The high school graduation rate among youth in foster care is relatively low, and youth in foster care are less likely to graduate from high school compared to their peers (Day, et al., 2012).

Read More
465 Words | 2 Pages

Children can also interact with other children in foster care, which helps the emotional and social part of the brain. Children can also be placed in very good homes, where they are loved and shown what it is like to live in a normal family that loves and cares about them. While one, nor a group of people cannot change the foster care system, people can research to educate themselves on ways to notice abuse, prevent abuse, and thenceforth educate and help others. Seeing and knowing is the first sign, yet it is one that goes unnoticed.

Read More
1766 Words | 8 Pages

Experiencing rejection and parental unavailability can cause, children develop behavioral patterns that have negative consequences for social-emotional development. Multi placement in foster care is linked, to poor social functioning as well as, emotional difficulties. There are also negative impacts on child behavior when there are multiple placement changes. It makes it hard for children to have a good relationship with their foster parents when they 've, had multiple changes in placement.(Hodges 2156). There are frequent, anxiety and depression diagnoses among foster children.

Read More
890 Words | 4 Pages

These relationships have created numerous positive outcomes for the youth as they enter adulthood, which includes increased educational attainment, improved self-esteem, improved functioning in a relationship, etc (Ahrens et al., 2011). By establishing this type of relationship, children feel more inclined to seek out and/or accept help from the person during a vulnerable time for them. Forming relationships and bonds can be critical to the development of a child, especially one who has been a part of the foster care

Read More
692 Words | 3 Pages

This modality emphasizes that change and dysfunction lie within the family structure. This theory assumes that Tracey’s foster family and biological family can solve their own problems with professional support and guidance. Unlike CBT, by identifying the foster family’s strengths, the social worker can build upon these strengths so that the family develops new skills to handle Tracey’s school transition and immersion into the new family system. This modality is also time limited and has an expectation of change. Utilizing this modality will allow Tracey’s foster parents a safe place to explore their perspectives on interracial couples, which could influence how the family interacts with others, Tracey and themselves.

Read More

More about Foster Care Therapy Essay

Related Topics

Open Document