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Danielle's remark about being less than interested in religion is probably due to the fact that her foster mother twists the Scriptures to suit her physical abuse of the children. I couldn't imagine wanting to learn more about a God that condones beating children! However, knowing what I do of God, this idea is completely asinine. I would explain this to Danielle and see if I could get her to agree to incorporate Scripture and Biblical meditation into our sessions. I would pray for Danielle silently during session or after the session was complete. As learned in our reading, Scripture can be (and should be) used to build a healthy sense of self, a healthy sense of need, and healthy relationships (Brewer, n.d.) Through Scriptural references, Danielle would be able to see a more positive foundational world view, one of hope and not fear or condemnation from a loving God. However, it would be important for me to keep my humility in check and to not be overbearing or make her feel as if she were hearing a sermon. As an integration of Scripture and CBT, I would use Scriptural verses and positive affirmations in meditation to help Danielle change her faulty thinking both of herself and God the Father. Adversely, it would be imperative for me to ask Danielle why she is acting out at school even though my assumption would be that the abuse she has sustained has affected the emotional functioning of her brain development. Making Danielle feel as if I am empathetic to her situation is extremely important since she probably has little trust for authority figures because of her care giver's abuse and foster dad's negligence. Just as Danielle's foster mother made her memorize Scriptures concerning the 'validity' of the abuse, I would have Danielle memorize and reflect on verses concerning the significance of children to our Heavenly Father. Like Matthew 18:6 that says, If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in Me- to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea or Psalm 127:3, Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.
I would coordinate with Danielle's school teachers to assist with the problem behaviors and make sure that progress was being made or create a new treatment plan if behaviors continued to be negative. I would also coordinate with the school counselor to ensure that Danielle had someone she could go and talk to if her emotions became too much on a given day. I would meet with the appropriate staff to set up and 504 plan for Danielle. I would request family meetings with Danielle's foster mother. If she refused and the corporal punishment continued, I would file a report for physical abuse with the Department of Children's Services. Even though it is extremely unacceptable, I feel as if foster mom is crying out for help in her own way by over-punishing the children and would benefit from therapy. On the other hand, Danielle and her siblings' well being is top priority.
If neither Danielle nor her foster mother were accepting of a spiritual aspect to therapy, I would use CBT and the METAMORPH grid, without the spiritual component, in therapy for Danielle. I would refer the foster mother to parenting training classes to help her see that her behavior is detrimental to the emotional and physical development of the children. It is critical for foster mom to know the consequences of her actions in order to change her behavior (Brewer, n.d.). Repeated physical abuse to children can cause toxic stress. "The defining aspects of toxic stress are thus that it is severe and chronic and that the child does not have an adult to help her or him regulate her or his stress response and choose appropriate behavioral responses" (Gershoff, 2016). Since Danielle's brain structure has already been altered by her consistent fight or flight responses, behavioral modification and regulation of emotions will be part of her treatment plan in therapy.
Gershoff, E.T. (2016). Should parents' physical punishment of children be considered a source of toxic stress that affects brain development?. Family Relations, Vol. 65, Issue 1. Pps. 151-162. DOI: 10.1111/fare.12177.
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