Creating dialogical space in therapeutic work with multi stress and violence in families

15th and 16th March

With multi stressed families both family members and professional helpers often feel overwhelmed by the complexity in families, often related to multiple factors such as lack of recourses, violence, alcohol and other substance abuse, social problems in the environment and with housing, school and work problems, debts, integration and language problems and illnesses.  These families often have a history of frustrating experiences and they develop an attitude of distrust to the outside world.  In their attempts to help, professionals are often perceived as blaming, thus setting up further complicated relationships.  This cycle of blame often escalates and constrains any useful work.

Using a mix of information, video clips, exercises and reflections, the workshop will reflect on ways to build bridges with these families, to find a shared language and open up a dialogical space, within which the complex issues and patterns of violence can be addressed.

Presenter: Justine van Lawick is a Clincial Psychologist, Family Therapist and Director of Training in the Lorentzhuis Centre for Systemic Therapy and Training, Belgium.  Justine has published many articles and a book.

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