The Farmer Family (Group A – Case Study)
An interracial couple, Maria and Christopher are parents to three children range in ages 4 to 9. Maria is 35 years old and biracial; she is Latina and African-American. Maria was raised with her two older siblings in a two-parent household with Christian values. Christopher is 45 Caucasian had a younger brother and was raised to observe the Catholic faith, by a single mother.
Maria and Christopher met through a mutual friend at a Christmas party. Christopher introduced himself to Maria, and the two exchanged numbers. The two had several things in common such as their educational background, both have undergraduate degrees in engineering, both enjoyed social gatherings, and both believed in the importance of family and the principles of marriage. After dating exclusively for six months, Christopher asked Maria to marry him, and six months later, they were married in a small chapel surrounded by friends and their family. The couple had their twins Amber and Alicia one year after they were married. Maria decided to return to work after she had the twins, while Christopher stayed home to care for the girls. The family was financially stable, and Maria received a promotion at work while Christopher happily cared for the girls. When the girls were five years old, Maria learned she was pregnant with August. Christopher and Maria agreed Amber and Alicia were ready to enter pre-school and located a daycare two miles from their home. Christopher expressed his intent to re-enter the workforce, but Maria felt August was too young to be left at daycare.
After another year at home, Christopher began applying for jobs and received a call for a lead engineer position at a company he hoped to represent. When Christopher shared the news with Maria, she was furious and began shouting and throwing things. Christopher also became angry and began shouting, and then he slapped Maria. Amber, Alicia, and August were watching television in the living room, but could hear the commotion. August began crying, and his sisters screamed for their father. Maria could hear the girls calling for Christopher, and she rushed to the living room. Maria’s face is red, and her makeup is smudged from her tears. The girls ask her what was happening, and she told them their father hit her, and they were getting a divorce. Maria gathered the children, told Christopher she will send him the divorce papers and went to stay with her parents. The children cried for their father and Maria told them they would never see him again.
The children had no communication with their father for three years. Subsequently, the girls began acting out in school and August eating, and sleeping habits were irregular. Maria called Christopher, and they met to discuss how to help their children who are now ages 4 (August), and 9 (Amber & Alicia). Maria and Christopher agreed they should seek counseling.
Write a 2-3 page paper for Recommendations for treatment for the children and parents.
Here is a list of resources:
Cohen, G. (2002, November). Helping children and families deal with divorce and separation. (Clinical report: guidance for the clinician in rendering pediatric care). Pediatrics, 110(5), 1019+. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezp.
Chafe, Don V. Play Therapy. Concepts and Techniques for Working with Divorce. Canadian Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy / Revue Canadienne de Counseling et de Psychothérapie, 2016 Supplement, Vol. 50, pS80-S92, 13p, Database: Education Source
Cohen, O., & Finzi-Dottan, R. (2005). Parent-child relationships during the divorce process; from attachment theory and intergenerational perspective. Contemporary Family Therapy, 27(1), 81-99. doi:10.1007/s10591-004-1972-3
Gilman, Jan, Dana Schneider, and Rebecca Shulak. 2005. “Children’s Ability to Cope Post-Divorce: The Effects of Kids’ Turn Intervention Program on 7 to 9 Year Olds.” Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 42 (3/4): 109–26. https://doi-org.ezp.
Dumont, R. H. (2008). Drawing a family map: an experiential tool for engaging children in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy.
Kelly, R., & Berg B. (1998) Measuring Children’s Reaction to Divorce. Journal ofClinical Psychology. Retrieved from:
Tein, J.Y., Sandler, I. N., Braver, S. L & Wolchik, S. A (2013). Development of a brief parent-report risk index for children following parental divorce. Journal of Family Psychology. \DOI: 10.1037/a0034571.
Answer preview
A counselor may decide to have counseling sessions with children at a designated time and suitable place for the children. During the counseling session, a counselor helps the Amber, Alicia, and August to overcome the stressors and avoiding a delicate matter of involving them in the parents’ conflict. The counselor may talk to the children about the typical experiences of divorce and family change. Furthermore, a counselor will help the Amber, Alicia, and August to deal with the transitions in their life by equipping them with developmental skills. As Cohen, & Finzi-Dottan, (2005) said, divorce is not an event, but it is a process. The family counselor will journey closely with the twins Amber and Alicia and their brother August until they gain emotional stability and accept the changes in their lives.
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