NCJ Number
136522
Journal
Community Alternatives International Journal of Family Care Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 19-30
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article describes the characteristics and evaluation results for the pilot group of Therapeutic Family Care (TFC) of Associated Catholic Charities of New Orleans which involved group treatment for five sexually abused girls, aged 8 to 12, who were in State custody.
Abstract
The core treatment approach was a modified version of Social Learning Family Therapy (Fleischman, Horne, and Arthur, 1981). The TFC model used master's level therapists to train and supervise already skilled families to act both as change agents and foster parents for one or two behavior disordered/emotionally disturbed children in their homes. The immediate program goals of TFC were to reduce the most obvious and troublesome behavior problems of the girls. These typically included physical and verbal aggression, sexual acting out, stealing, running away, truancy, school failure, and disruption. The program aimed to maintain the girls in normative, healthy family settings throughout adolescence and equip them with sufficient skills to function in appropriate adult roles. The girls' progress was measured through treatment parents' data collection and observations of behavior and mood. These indicated decreases in the symptoms shown prior to the groups, such as less sleep disturbance, more compliance in the home and at school, and more assertive verbalization of their thoughts and feelings at appropriate times. The girls indicated they were sorry to see the group end and deemed the group valuable in helping them deal with their sexual abuse. Recommendations are offered for future groups. 24 references