MFT 635 Treatment of Trauma in Families

**This is a discussion post.

QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED: Describe each component of the CAMS approach and HOW the ABFT model might fit with it.

***Here are some CAMS resources. https://cams-care.com/

Required Readings:

Jobes, D. A., et al. (2018). A stepped care approach to clinical suicide prevention. Psychological Services 15(3): 243-250. Retrieved from Ebscohost multisearch.

Scott, S., et al. (2016). Attachment-Based Family Therapy for suicidal adolescents: A case study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy 37(2): 154-176. Retrieved from Ebscohost multisearch.

Diamond, G. and S. Levy (2015). Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT) Webinar. Philadelphia, PA. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/107753025 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcwHznzq-S4

This is a 38 min. video about Attachment-based Family Therapy. It is the only evidence-based family therapy for adolescent suicide, depression, cutting, etc. Excellent interventions related to attachment and trauma. It is optional but highly recommended.

Saltzman, W. R. (2016). The FOCUS Family Resilience Program: An Innovative Family Intervention for Trauma and Loss. Family Process, 55(4), 647-659. doi:10.1111/famp.12250

Retrieved from Ebscohost multisearch.

Suicidal ideation is a result of the client’s feeling totally overwhelmed because of his/her perception of a variety of precipitating events. Suicide does not generally come without warning. Most often, persons considering it show symptoms or provide clues to their intent. A person displaying only one or two of these behaviors may not be suicidal. Other factors must be taken into consideration and a suicidal assessment must be performed.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Giving things away

Putting things in

Writing a will

Withdrawing from usual activities

Preoccupation with death

Having experienced the recent death of a relative or friend

Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless

Increasing drug/alcohol use

Displaying psychotic behavior

Showing agitated depression

Suicide assessment is a judgment call. Being sensitive to risk factors and asking appropriate questions are vital strategies.

Suicide Assessment

Ask if the person has thoughts of killing himself/herself

Ask family members if they are concerned that the person will commit suicide

Check if person has plan for suicide

Check persons mental status

Check the history of suicide in the person’s life

Find out about any existing support systems that the individual may have

Ask the person for a commitment to talk with you and to give up all rights to suicide for a period of time (No Suicide Contract)

Loss often triggers suicidal thinking in a grieving person, especially after the denial and anger pass and depression sets in. Kubler-Ross’s Five Stages of Death and Dying will serve as an introduction to the topic of loss.

Kubler-Ross’s Five Stages of Death and Dying

Denial and isolation

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Definitions of Bereavement, Grief, and Mourning

Bereavement: A state of loss.

Grief: The feelings of sorrow, anger, guilt, and confusion that arise when one experiences a loss.

Mourning: The overt expression of grief and the usual response to bereavement with 4 tasks.

Tasks of Mourning

Accepting the Reality of the Loss

Experiencing the Pain of Grief

Adjusting to an Environment in which the Deceased is Missing

Withdrawing Emotional Energy and Reinvesting it in Another Relationship

Roberts, A.R., & Yeager, K. R. (2009). Pocket Guide to Crisis Intervention. USA: Oxford