Collaborative Therapy with Multi-Stressed Families Fee: $25.00 US Length: 2 hours Credits: 2.00 Presenter: William Madsen, Ph.D.

Families that experience numerous problems are often treated as having deficits, and therapists tend to try to correct and teach them "better" ways of functioning. However, these families also have strengths, resources and the capacity to grow, learn and change.

This workshop will present a model of thinking and working with multi-stressed families that encourages a position of respect and collaboration. It will offer specific steps to use, and guidelines for professionals to follow utilizing an array of clinical examples. It will conclude with an interview of the presenter about his work and thinking.

Goals and Objectives:

Participants will learn to:

1. shift their thinking about families from ideas of multi-problem families to "multi-stressed";
2. develop working partnerships with these families;
3. improve skills to help clients envision new futures and preferred lives;
4. develop specific attitudes that lead to useful techniques.

William Madsen, Ph.D. is the Training Coordinator at Family Institute of Cambridge and maintains a private practice. He has developed innovative mental health clinics and home-based programs, and provides agency training and organizational consultation.

He has written and presented extensively about the development of strength-based, collaborative partnerships between families and helpers. His book, Collaborative Therapy with Multi-Stressed Families was released this fall by Guilford Press.