SPECIFIC EXAMPLES:
FAMILY INCLUSIVE PRACTICE SESSIONS

Below are links to a useful set of guidelines for the practitioner working with couples, families, whanau, and significant others when the potential client is Pre-Contemplative.

These articles provide an excellent clinical overview

• HSTAT/ Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy

Please note that each example does not stand in isolation from the others and the techniques can be interchangeable.

• Couples Session Examples 
• Family Session Examples 
• Whanau Session Examples 
• Significant Other Session Examples 

The first three examples assume that an assessment has already been done with the identified client and that involvement of others is part of an ongoing recovery plan.

For some practitioners the assessment would begin with family involvement in which case the routine assessment questions would be incorporated into the family session with responses sought from everyone present.

These are suggested guidelines only. Practitioners will need to modify them appropriately according to the circumstances of the case.

Regardless of the family members involved, the Kawa or guidelines of the session need to be agreed before beginning work.

An example of kawa or session guidelines.

We all agree that:

• Everyone is treated with respect and fairness.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Everyone will get a turn.
• Anger and tears are OK.
• Intimidation, abuse and aggression are not OK.
• Confidentiality of all present is respected.

Click here for a useful "Family Friendly Checklist " to assist in the preparation and execution of a basic family session.

© KINA - Families and Addictions Trust