Caring for Children with Learning Difficulties through Network Therapy with consultative Clinic and Systemic Family Therapy

Abstract

This field-based study aims to incite a discussion on a new and original subject with the various specialists in the field of therapies, as well as to undertake an evaluation on the ground of the activities related to the Network Therapy and the Consultative Clinic, as promoted in Algeria by the International Organization for the Development of People (CISP) through its integrated team. The principle of Network Therapy practice is that psychologists or social workers cannot expand their areas of intervention unless they were part of a professional network and provided they mastered the social, psychological and therapeutic interventions, as defined by common language parameters agreed upon by all professionals. Such development would enhance their performance, making them ready to face the patients or their overstressed families. Training at the consultative Clinic is directed towards a pluridisciplinary group of professionals from varied academic backgrounds, and focuses on a unified and common professional language. Mental health professionals have contributed to the development of this participatory approach, in opposition to therapeutic practices characterized by isolation of patients with mental, behavioural or school disorders from their families and their stigmatization, preventing them from having a say in their own therapy. Family Psychotherapy appeared as a result of the positive family involvement, which proved to be beneficial to the patients’ condition, and it set itself to analyse the significance of the family’s influence, as well as the repercussions of having an ill person within it. What does Network Psychotherapy mean? And how can Systemic Family Therapy contribute to the care of Children with Learning Difficulties