Foster Care Therapy Essay

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

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

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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