The Gift that is Family Therapy
(in a family violence context)
Presented by Franca Butera and Nella Charles
Abstract
The strength of family therapy lies in its broad scope and capacity to draw on different frameworks to tailor therapy to the specific needs of each family. Herein also lies its challenge. As systemic practitioners, we see layers of contributing factors to the issues families bring and face a myriad of choices about how and what we might offer in the therapy process. An ever-growing body of research further challenges us to consider how best to integrate the science and art of family therapy.
This presentation shares our journey with a family recovering from family violence. It highlights key decision points and challenges that arose in the therapy process; our "behind the scenes" thinking and the frameworks and research that informed key interventions. The result was a pragmatic, evidence informed approach drawing on trauma and attachment informed frameworks that kept us grounded and responsive through the work. There is no perfect ending but a young family and their relationships are healing, and are "back on the developmental track" as our family therapy forebearers would have put it. We too have been changed and grown through what we see as the gift that is family therapy.
Presenters
Franca Butera
Franca Butera, Senior Family Practice Consultant and Systemic Clinical Family Therapist, is a social worker and family therapist at The Bouverie Centre. She has 25 years’ experience as a clinician, trainer and consultant in a variety of settings including acute, rehabilitation and community health. She has extensive experience working with individuals, couples and families who have been impacted by trauma, mental health and disability including acquired brain injury.
Franca received the Anita Morawetz Scholarship, University of Melbourne in 1998 and the Anita Morawetz Research Prize, Victorian Association of Family Therapists for a Masters Thesis – substantial and scholarly contribution to the field of Family Therapy in 2000.
Nella Charles
Nella Charles is a family therapist and clinical psychologist at The Bouverie Centre where she has been employed as a clinician and teacher in family therapy for over 20 years. She has a breadth of experience working with families, with particular experience working in disability, acquired brain injury and child welfare fields. She has a particular interest in the treatment of trauma and use of creative methods in family, group work and supervision.
View Nella's research profile.
For more information
Contact: Franca Butera
Email: f.butera-prinzi@latrobe.edu.au