Module 9: Extending Support Networks
Module 9 aims to teach parents effective ways to extend their
support networks. It incudes modelling social interactions to help
parents to feel confident in social situations.
A 'social snapshot' is taken that tells the parent's family story
and identifies important people in the parent's life (or absence of
a support network). The social snapshot helps the therapist
identify the people in the parent's life who could be viewed as
supportive and who could be viewed as a potential risk
factor.
Raising children is at times a daunting and unrelenting job.
Ideally parents have support people to turn to when life becomes
difficult. Family, friends or neighbours can be good sources of
support. Many parents have limited their support networks and need
to learn to trust others and ask for help.Connecting parents with
commmunity resources such as play groups or involvement in the
local school is also very helpful.
The emphasis of this module is on identifying potential supports and encouraging parents to engage with these support people.