Chapter 9 - Working with Children and Families

Summary

In this chapter, the authors shift attention to younger BFRB clients and to modifications to ComB treatment when children, family members, and other caretakers are involved in therapy. Managing these additional people presents added complexity for the therapist to manage. Ideas for helping create a supportive, therapeutic social context for younger clients are presented throughout. Commonly occurring misconceptions, anxieties and problematic relationship issues are described, explored, and addressed throughout, with an emphasis placed on coaching caregivers into positive and supportive roles in the therapeutic endeavor. Also addressed is the importance of setting realistic expectations for therapy and coaching caregivers to deal with the inevitable motivational issues that will have to be addressed for effective treatment of younger clients. Different recommendations, reflecting the varying needs of clients of different ages – infants, younger and older children, and adolescents, are provided – as are approaches for dealing with children with sensory dysregulation issues.