Winter, 2020

FT533

Lehnertz/Shindel

FT533: VULNERABLE FAMILY SYSTEMS: ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES & COMPLEX TRAUMA. Wendy Lehnertz, LMFT, Tamar Shindel, LPC

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide a broad overview of the mental health adjustment of populations that are often exposed to potentially traumatic events. The main focus of this course will be centered on understanding and treating four systems that are informed by trauma, abuse and neglect within individuals and family systems: the social engagement system, the internal family system of an individual, the central nervous system and the spiritual system. The developmental impacts on children and families will be reviewed based on Erickson's stages of development. State of the art assessment and evidence-based treatment models for individuals will be reviewed.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Students will become familiar with the role secure attachment plays in a child's development and how to work with attachment disruptions.

2. Students will gain basic knowledge about the impacts of repeated abuse, trauma and attachment disruptions in children, adolescents and families.

3. Students will become familiar with the phases of trauma treatment and therapeutic models for each phase, as well as be prepared to deliver promising intervention strategies for individuals, couples and families.

4. Students will gain an appreciation for a Christian commitment to professional practice as service to those systems affected by trauma, abuse and attachment disruptions.

5. Students will gain an understanding of the role of prevention and early intervention for children and families at risk for developing mental health problems.

RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES:

MFT Learning Outcomes

1. Learning outcome 2: Graduates of the MSMFT will demonstrate an ecosystemic understanding of family dynamics and culturally diverse expressions of family forms, and the corresponding implications for professional practice.

SOP Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates, in their scholarly and clinical work will be equipped to apply the insights of Christian theology along with the knowledge and techniques of the social and behavioral sciences.

2. Graduates will be prepared to serve underserved populations and to integrate in their practice and personal lives the disciplines of compassion and charity.

3. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and attitudes necessary to serve effectively in diverse communities locally and globally.

Fuller Seminary Learning Outcomes

1. Learning Objective #3: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to identify critical issues of diversity and make appropriate responses.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 4 unit course will meet for three hours once per week. The class format will include lectures, video presentations, experiential training, guest lectures, and class discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Courtois, C., Ford, J., Van der Kolk, B., and Herman, J. Eds. (2013). Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders: An Evidence-Based Guide. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN-13: 978-14612513390

Osofsky, J. D. (2011). Clinical Work with Traumatized Young Children. Guilford Press: New York, NY. ISBN-10: 1609182065, ISBN-13: 978-1609182069 $43.88

van der Kolk, Bessel (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and the Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books: New York. ISBN13: 978-0143127741; ISBN-10: 0143127748

RECOMMENDED READING:

Cohen, J.A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2006). Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guildford Press. ISBN: 978-1593853082.

Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence-from Domestic Violence to Political Terror. New York: Basic Books. ISBN-13: 978-046508730.

Hill, R.B. (1999). The Strengths of African-American Families. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America. ISBN-10: 0761812504, ISBN-13: 978-0761812500

National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (1998). D. Hernandez & E. Charney (Eds.). From Generation to Generation: The Health and Well-Being of Children in Immigrant Families. Washington DC: National Academy Press. This book is available for free, on-line reading at: www.nap.edu. ISBN-10: 0309065615, ISBN-13: 978-0309065610

Garbarino, J., Dubrow, N. & Kostelny, K. (1992). Children in Danger: Coping with the Consequences of Community Violence. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. ISBN-10: 1555424163, ISBN-13: 978-1555424169

Johnson, S. (2002). Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN-13: 978-1593851651

Levine, P. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. ISBN: 1-55643-233-X.

Minuchin, P., Colapinto, J., & Minuchin, S. (2006). Working with Families of the Poor: Second Edition. Guilford Press: New York, NY. ISBN-10: 1593853475, ISBN-13: 978-1593853471

Ogden, P., Minton, K., Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the Body: A sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-70457-0.

Suarez-Orozco, C. & Suarez-Orozco, M. M. (2002) Children of Immigration. Publisher: Harvard University Press. ISBN-10: 0674008383, ISBN-13: 978-0674008380

Wienhold, J.B., & Wienhold, B. K. (2010). Healing Developmental Trauma: A Systems Approach to Counseling Individuals, Couples, and Families. Denver: Love Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-89108-349-8

Ziegler, D. (2005). Traumatic Experience and the Brain: A Handbook to Understanding and Treating Those Traumatized as Children. Monterey, AZ: Acacia Publishing: ISBN-10: 9780967118758

INTEGRATION RESOURCES:

Miles, G. & Wright, J. (2003). Celebrating Children. Carlisle, Cumbria: Paternoster Press. ISBN-10: 1842270605, ISBN-13: 978-1842270608, $26.59

McConnell, D., Orona J., & Stockley, P. (Eds.) (2007). Understanding God's Heart for Children: Toward a Biblical Framework. Authentic Books /World Vision. ISBN-10: 1934068470, ISBN-13: 978-1934068472, $22.79

Thompson, C. (2010). Anatomy of the Soul. TX: Tyndale House Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-4143-3414-1.

Walsh, Froma (1998). Strengthening Family Resilience. New York: Guilford. ISBN-10: 1593851863, ISBN-13: 978-1593851866, $38.88

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Completion of readings: 750 pages of reading are required.

2. Participation in class experiential training.

3. Completion of comprehension paper.

4. Completion of in class presentation describing how student plans to make an impact on the community to lessen the impacts of mental health disparities.

5. Use a therapeutic intervention and write a paper on the experience of using said method.

PREREQUISITE:

MFT Students: Completion of FT520: Child and Adolescent Therapy.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

1. Core requirement for the MSMFT.

2. Meets BPC Sections 4980.36(c)(1)(B),(C); 4980.36(d)(1)(A); 4980.36(d)(2)(B),(C),(F),(G); 4980.36(e) for the State of California.

FINAL EXAMINATION: NONE