Families and Communities: Building Bridges

Abstract

A number of writers in the field of couples and family counseling have recommended that family therapists include community in their work with families. Some writers emphasize the need to consider families within the context of their communities and to view communities as a source of support or resource for families. Others have stressed the role interdependence plays in the psychological health of families and recommend providing opportunities in which families can give to the community. This article summarizes both views of community. It suggests that family counselors' focus on families' strengths and competencies should include challenging families to get connected and invest themselves in their communities.

Family Counselors as School Consultants: Where are the Solutions?

“…Often when a student is experiencing difficulty adapting to the school environment, interventions are developed that focus solely on the child and ignore the contexts within which he or she develops (Edwards & Foster, 1995). School personnel may not be knowledgeable about systems theory or family dynamics and may make recommendations that are counterproductive or have negative repercussions (May & Church, 1999;Nicholl, 1992). A systemic view evaluates interaction patterns within a system and among systems (Sontag, 1996).…”

“…Collaboration between home and school does not always happen automatically. Consequently, mediators who can foster the establishment of productive relationships between the home and the school are needed (Edwards & Foster, 1995;May & Church, 1999). By joining the forces of schools and families, partnerships are developed that foster school and social success for children (Dryfoos, 1994).…”

“…This article presents a home-school collaborative-consultation model for use by family counselors in school settings and provides specific steps to facilitate a conjoint home-school problem-solving meeting. This orientation invites family counselors to expand their work with families to include the school context (May & Church, 1999). A case study illustrating the application of this model is presented and implications are discussed.…”