Working with Parents to Support Their Disabled Children’s Social and School Inclusion: An Exploratory Counseling Study

Abstract

This article synthesizes the long-lasting counseling process of a family with a child suffering from a chronic illness. The provided intervention model draws on a series of principles from various theoretical approaches, namely systemic, psychodynamic, and resiliency. Family functioning and support is considered a catalytic parameter in assisting children with disabilities to fully develop their potential. This project is based on a family and child-centered integrative counseling model adopting the nonmedical conception of disability. Through the presentation of a case study of a couple who faced a critical situation in the life of their child, this article briefly describes the way the family dynamics were readdressed through this intervention counseling model. In addition, this work attempts to give a picture of the complex and confusing emotional states parents may go through when dealing with physical and psychological health-threatening situations and present guidelines for integrated counseling models.

Notes

1. Parents had the liberty to decide about the frequency of the counseling sessions, according to their needs. Counseling sessions were covered by the parents’ insurance.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elias Kourkoutas

Elias Kourkoutas is a clinical child psychologist. He is a professor of Psychology at the University of Crete in the Department of Primary Education.

Viviana Langher

Viviana Langher is a professor of psychology at the University of Rome, School of Medicine, La Sapienza.

Elena Vitalaki

Elena Vitalaki is a developmental psychologist at the University Of Crete.

Maria Elisabetta Ricci

Maria Elisabetta Ricci is a lecturer of clinical psychology at the University of Rome.