Title

Group Therapy at a Prison for Women: A Therapist's Perspective

Publication Date

1-2-2014

Document Type

Article

Abstract

A wide range of issues are explored that are identified by incarcerated mothers during their participation in a Family Reunification Group at a prison for women. They include concerns regarding parent‰ÛÒchild visits; lack of communication by child welfare social workers, attorneys, foster parents, and other caregivers; the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA); lack of finances; past and present unresolved trauma issues; and the absence of notification of scheduled court hearings. This article also provides an in-depth look at how a group therapist established a therapeutic alliance with varied women in the group over a period of 5 years (2008‰ÛÒ2013) and maintained a sense of professional self in this controlled setting. Finally, the implications for clinical social work practice and social work education are presented. Confidentiality is ensured with the use of de-identified case composite clinical material.

Publication Title

Smith College Studies in Social Work

Volume

84

Issue

1

First Page

40

Last Page

54

DOI

10.1080/00377317.2014.862114

Publisher Policy

pre-print, post-print

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