Briefly explain two major changes in the treatment of crisis in social work practice through history related to child abuse
One of the changes involved the shift from the psychoanalytic-oriented intervention to phase-based treatment. The latter was characterized by stages that a social worker could have an opportunity to help a patient with a history of child abuse to cope with the situation, stabilize, sustain safety, function in a normal manner, and control impulses (Chu & Bowman, 2000). The change in the intervention ensured that trauma could be abreacted after an individual attains a remarkable level of stability. Another change in the treatment of child-related trauma involved the recognition of the role played by the vagaries of a patient’s memory. The approach is being used currently by social workers inquire the past events regarding trauma and note any form of amnesia (Chu & Bowman, 2000).
Rationale for the changes in the treatment of child abuse
Social workers adopted the change that led to the adoption of the phase-based treatment when they realized that abreaction-oriented could hardly assist their clients to improve their health. Besides, through studies, it was apparent that the earlier intervention could not help patients to avoid being significantly affected by their experiences (Chu & Bowman, 2000). Regarding the change that led to the execution of the treatment method that involves the inquiry of a person’s memory, it was adopted after the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) established that association between trauma and dissociation (Chu & Bowman, 2000; McCann & Pearlman, 1990).
Describe one past crisis intervention and one current crisis intervention you might employ with child abuse
Education is one of the past interventions utilized to solve issues related to child abuse. The approach involved teaching the abused children self-protective methods that would go a long way in helping them minimize the chances of being abused in the future. The strategy included establishing relatively high levels of safety at the child’s home as well as identifying support persons (Cohen, Mannarino & Deblinger, 2006). An example of current crisis intervention is the utilization of day care to provide therapy to the affected child. Social workers employ the program to study their clients carefully and help them attach to family members in an effective way, self-conceptualize, solve emotional behavior issues, and rectify any form of physical problems (Bloom, 1999).
- Bloom, S. L. (1999). Trauma Theory Abbreviated.
- Chu, J. A., & Bowman, E. S. (2000). Trauma and dissociation: 20 years of study and lessons learned along the way. Journal of trauma & dissociation, 1(1), 5-20.
- Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2006). Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
- McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Psychological trauma and the adult survivor: Theory, therapy, and transformation (No. 21). New York, NY: Psychology Press.