Documenting Therapeutic Approaches

Liselle Finlay
Liselle Finlay Family for Every Child • 29 June 2021

Reference: Family for Every Child, 2020

this report documents the therapeutic interventions being offered by a proportion of organisations linked with Family for Every Child.  The document includes information about staff qualifications; therapeutic orientation; type of interventions being offered and how and where this takes place, means of assessment; measuring change and outcome; and the specific mental health difficulties or problems targeted.

In this report, Therapeutic interactions are described as those that contribute to

  • a mental, physiological or emotional state being regulated more healthily
  • a thought or feeling being more bearable
  • something different happening in somebody’s emotional life
  • someone having a better story about themselves
  • someone understanding themselves differently

A brief introduction to the 11 case studies presented in this report is provided below. Access the full report attached.


ABTH in Brazil

ABTH has operated at many different levels. Reintegration work has been the core of their work, based on their systemic therapeutic approach: and reintegrating street children and those in institutional care to their original families has been a priority. They have offered both a preventative therapeutic approach in the favelas and a protective therapeutic approach with children from the streets, shelters or foster care.

CHALLENGING HEIGHTS in Ghana

Challenging Heights rehabilitate children who have been trafficked and
forced to work in the fishing community. They have a ‘shelter’, Hovde House, where children live and receive medical care, emotional support and education while their families are located and the potential for reintegration is explored. A range of issues are assessed [e.g. physical development, nutrition, developmental level for age and behaviour problems] and while in the House staff observe the young person’s level of independence, behaviours, ability within the classroom and their communication with adults.

CHILDLINK in Guyana

Childlink operates in the context of investigations of reported child sexual abuse. It exists in 4 out of 10 regions of Guyana and there are hopes to expand into two more. It works with the national Child Protection system and related institutions providing a multidisciplinary service including a Forensic Interviewer and Trauma Counsellor. The team works together to ensure prosecutions of perpetrators and
that the child’s needs for therapeutic help are met. Staff can also be called to give evidence and support the young person and their family through the court process. Therapeutic intervention without delay. 

BUTTERFLIES in India

Butterflies has provided services for vulnerable children, especially street-connected and working children in Delhi since 1989. The Rights-based participatory and non-institutional approach aims to educate and impart life skills to vulnerable children so that they become skillful and emerge from the intergenerational cycle of poverty. To achieve this goal Butterflies implements programs with children, families, communities, legal systems and schools both at a grassroots level and through partner organisations, supporting the children and their families, communities and schools. Social Casework aims to promote the adjustment and development of individuals by improving relationships
and enabling better use of resources which may have been restricted by certain factors. Butterflies take the view that denial of Children’s Rights impacts on their development and survival and is closely related to protection and mental health issues. Children and families are seen as in need of more comprehensive assistance, which has the potential to address multiple factors. 

USK in Kenya

The main objective is to work with street children, many of whom have been exposed to violence, and it encourages reintegration and a safe return home. The organisation has a KPOS [Kenyan Place of Safety] where an initial assessment can be made, and a treatment plan developed. A case analysis format template assists in the gathering of information. Young people leave the streets voluntarily, and for those who remain out of their families, there is an ‘association’ model, which links individuals to a supportive peer group after rehabilitation.

JUCONI in Mexico

Juconi was established thirty years ago and is firmly underpinned by the systemic approach, taking into account the connections with school/teachers, neighbours, community and employers. It has developed a model aiming to reach children missed by governmental and other voluntary organisations: those who work on the street, or who work there but still live at home, or with families where children are at risk of street life. Juconi developed guidelines for Reintegration of children, extensive preparation, intervention at multiple levels, and follow-up, offering support through all stages and working in collaboration with Child Protection services. It runs two residential homes [one for males with a focus on Reintegration, the other for those making the transition to independence], a day centre and local offices. It also seeks to promote change at a national level, through an income generating Training Institute.

ENFOQUE NINEZ in Paraguay

The main role of Enfoque Ninez is to offer social and therapeutic work to children, adolescents and their families referred by the judicial system: to promote reintegration; run a family home placement program and to work collaboratively with children, adolescents and their families. In addition to this, Enfoque Ninez takes an advocacy role with the intention of influencing public policy. and offers
training for professionals.

CPTSCA in Philippines

CPTSCA was established 25 years ago and draws heavily on the Traumagenic Dynamics model. The organisation is primarily focused on working with young people who have been sexually abused and it accepts referrals from other organisations, community workers and self-referrals. Their approach
involves both individual, group and family therapy: addressing the impact of CSA; working on family  relationships; and enhancing resilience. They also are one of the few organisations in the country working with young people who commit sexual offences.

UYISENGA NI IMANZI in Rwanda

This organisation also follows the Rehabilitation Reunification and Reintegration model aiming to work with street children, providing Transit Centres and Rehabilitative Centres in three districts.  It is a family-based model which aims to help children and families through a healing process and helps develop sustainable community mechanisms. Many of the families are characterised by conflict, poverty and hunger, violence, sickness, drug misuse, may have been homeless and many comprised of only one parent. The organisation also offers advocacy and training.

MULBERRY BUSH SCHOOL in United Kingdom

The Mulberry Bush school is a rare resource in the UK offering residential therapeutic schooling to children between 5 and 13 who are the most damaged in the country. They have usually had extensive experiences of abuse and/or neglect, and usually have had a series of failed placements with foster carers, in residential settings or a combination of both.

FOST in Zimbabwe

The majority of children supported by FOST are looked after by their grandparents/other relatives. Some are at risk of exploitation, isolation and/or being drawn into criminal activity. FOST aims to improve their resilience, capacity to cope and sense of social connectedness. It improves psychosocial support in schools through training teachers adding to the safety net for those with AIDS, living in conflict and/or poverty. Teachers are encouraged to think of psychological needs: consider children’s thoughts, feelings and understand their behaviour. FOST strongly advocates for play as a vital factor in enhancing development and social skills. 

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