Residential Treatment: A Cooperative, Competencybased Approach To Therapy And Program Design

Michael Durrant introduces a cooperative, competency-based approach into the sometimes ineffective and often adversarial arena of residential treatment. He views residential treatment as a transition stage that certain children and adolescents and their families may need; his model for treatment centers around the idea of the rite of passage. This book does not advocate any one particular model of family or residential therapy over another; rather, it espouses an approach to treatment that is cooperative and solution-focused and that can fit into any existing program. These ideas rely more on changes in attitude than on changes in the specific ways that programs operate. Both hospital staff and medical team are encouraged to keep their "eyes on the prize" of enhanced competence of families and children and not get bogged down in rigid program rules. Yet, Durrant recognizes that many programs have to comply with outside agency regulations; the book is written in such a way that a solution-focused, competence approach can be realized while still satisfying state regulations. First, Durrant reviews the meanings that families and children commonly attribute to residential placement. In this way, he explores the notion of creating a different context for placements - one of transition, growth, and experimentation with new behavior, not one of cure or problems. He then considers various aspects of the residential process from the point of view of transition and competence - how to see discipline as a way of conveying new information; dealing with violent behavior; helping parents to see things differently and to feel more involved; the use of ritual and celebration; and ideas on how staff canavoid working too hard. Included are case examples and ideas from more than a dozen different residential programs throughout Australia and North America. Although the majority of these have a particular case as a focus, some concentrate on the programs themselves, and the different ways professional staff interact. Many families struggle with residential placement. With humor and compassion, Durrant shows how this competence framework can make everyone - from kids and parents to therapists and staff - a winner.