2014 bill hewlett an example of therapeutic post separation family mediation
TRANSCRIPT
An example of therapeutic post-separation family mediation
Joint PACFA, CAPA (NSW) & AARC Conference 2014
Bill Hewlett Clinical Services Specialist,
Post-Separation Practice
Relationships Australia NSW
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Clients
•Children and wellbeing
Around 25% of children whose parents separate will experience mental health issues
(compared with 12% from families that never separate)
Sawyer et al, 2000; Kelly & Emery, 2003;
McIntosh, Wells & Long, 2007
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Theoretical Considerations
Attachment Theory
‘What we get exclusively from the family is love, and the capacity to form intimate
attachments...
Emotional security does not lead inexorably to good character or good citizenship,
but insecurity interferes with the formation of every social connection…
It increases the chance that we will react to others with avoidance, fear, anger and
hostility.’ Rosenblum, 1995
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One of the consequences of poor attachment, is that there seems to be less space or spare
mental capacity for accessing emotional and cognitive information about relationships.
Rudi Dallos
www.storyofneo.com.au
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Attachment Theory
A child has a relationship with the parent’s relationship.
www.storyofneo.com.au
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Attachment Theory
Neurobiology
Our focus as children, on our short term survival, has superseded attention
to all long term maintenance. This is akin to burning the furniture to survive
a freezing winter. Louis Cozolino
It is important to understand that the brain altered in destructive ways by
neglect and trauma can also be altered in reparative, healing ways. Bruce
Perry
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Unfortunately evolution has not seen fit to invest much neural circuitry into
self-awareness. Louis Cozolino
www.storyofneo.com.au
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Evolutionary theory
The Social brain, given the opportunity, is always happy to help resolve a
distressing relational situation, willingly providing data for insight and reflection.
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Cortico-Hippocampal help
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Facilitating the creation of neural pathways
Not enough stress Too much stress
Ideal learning
environment
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Key structures of the brain impacted by trauma
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Fast and slow circuits
‘J’ Curve
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The ‘J Curve’ Model
Dumb and curious form of enquiry to elicit information of intent, impact and effect on
others.
A Attunement
E Engagement and Empathy
I Intent and Impact
O What do others see?
U What else could you do?
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Contact us
Relationships Australia NSW
www.nsw.relationships.com.au
Australian Institute of Relationship Studies (AIRS) Training and Research Division
www.airs.edu.au
The Story of Neo
www.storyofneo.com.au
Bill Hewlett
www.nsw.relationships.com.au