26 Jun Family Therapy with Mandated Clients
Order Instructions
Review the following scenario and consider the ethical tensions you might experience in your work with this family.
You are a social worker in a community clinic, and the local Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) has recently referred Ms. Mariana Garcia and her 7-year-old son Alejandro Garcia to you. The DCFS reunification plan for the family includes individual therapy sessions for the mother with another social worker in your clinic and family sessions for the mother and child with you. Alejandro was placed in foster care after a referral to the DCFS child protection division by local hospital staff who treated him for significant internal bleeding and several broken bones. Alejandro told his hospital nurse that his injuries were caused by his mother’s boyfriend Mike, who “gets mad at us a lot.” Ms. Garcia blamed Alejandro’s injuries on an accidental fall but admitted that Mike beats her whenever he consumes alcohol. A criminal investigation led to several charges against Mike that are pending in court. Alejandro was placed in a kinship foster care placement with a great aunt. Ms. Garcia visits frequently with Alejandro at the great aunt’s home but continues to reside in Mike’s apartment and denies that the living arrangement poses a safety risk for Alejandro or for herself.
Your role is to conduct therapy sessions with Alejandro and his mother to support their eventual reunification. Ms. Garcia and Alejandro appear fearful and wary when they arrive at your office. Alejandro remains silent as you greet the family and slumps on the floor in the corner of the room facing the wall. Ms. Garcia has visible bruising on her face and speaks rapidly while constantly scanning the room. She expresses anger that her son has been removed from her care, reluctance to move out of Mike’s apartment, and fear that she will lose Alejandro.
BY DAY 3
Post:
The Garcia family is required to attend therapy. Describe how this mandate might impact power dynamics in your work with them.
Describe strategies you could use to build trust with the Garcia family and explain how you could promote each family member’s right to self-determination in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
You are working to support Alejandro, but you recognize that his well-being is closely tied to Ms. Garcia. Explain how you would partner with Ms. Garcia and integrate support for her into your work with Alejandro
