Consultation Strategies for Working with Professionals Supporting Foster Families

Abstract

Children and families involved in the foster care system present with unique needs requiring support from diverse professionals. Because of the range of stakeholders involved with children and families in the foster care system, play therapists must become knowledgeable and skillful consultants and collaborators to best facilitate holistic wellness for these families. Through this chapter, the authors seek to provide play therapists with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to draw upon when working with this population. First, readers are introduced to the mental health needs faced by foster care children and families. The authors then describe the diverse roles frequently fulfilled by play therapists as consultants and collaborators within various systems impacting children in foster care. Finally, a case study is included to provide a practical description of how play therapists can integrate a greater use of consultation, collaboration, and advocacy into their work to bet meet the needs of foster care children and families within their care.