Families face considerable and unique challenges such as addiction, domestic violence, trauma, grief, community violence, and economic struggles. Unique challenges require tailored interventions that children’s therapy books can offer to meet the needs of the family and children.
Because of this, areas of focus will include the “Do and Don’t” of using therapy books, how to teach caregivers to use therapy books with their families, understanding risks, and going through a piece of example sessions using a therapy book with a child in three different om one-on-one sessions. Books on caregiver addiction, grief, and building self-confidence are used as examples. Clinical interventions and strategies for using written stories are discussed.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify ways to measure successful interventions
- Identify research supporting the use of stories and therapy books in benefiting clients.
- Identify obstacles to using stories and therapy books and how to avoid them.
- Determine how to select and use a book at an appropriate engagement and maturity level for the client.
- Teach caregivers how to use stories in a healing way.
- Determine the risks of using stories and children’s therapy books.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Bibliotherapy in Child and Family Work
- Overview of using children’s stories and therapy books in counseling
- Distinction between bibliotherapy and general storytelling
- Evidence-based objectives and therapeutic benefits
- Role of stories in emotional regulation, insight, and behavior change
Objective #2: Ethical and Cultural Considerations
- Ethical use of stories: respecting client autonomy and timing
- Evaluating story relevance and cultural sensitivity
- Avoiding emotional harm and re-traumatization
- Considering family, language, cognitive, and cultural contexts
Objective #3: Assessment and Measurement Tools
- Use of objective and subjective outcome measures
- Pre- and post-intervention tracking (e.g., SCARED, RCADS, PHQ-9)
- Measuring therapeutic impact of story-based interventions
- Identifying and preventing symptom substitution
Objective #4: Clinical Techniques: Do’s and Don’ts
- Planning sessions around stories and pacing appropriately
- Asking open-ended, developmentally appropriate questions
- Managing attention, resistance, and emotional reactivity
- Differentiating therapy books from children’s books
- Avoiding forced interpretations or conclusions
Objective #5: Engaging Clients Through Stories
- Tailoring story content to client’s age, maturity, and lived experience
- Strategies for enhancing focus and participation
- The value of unclear or open-ended story conclusions
- Linking fictional characters to real-life situations with care
Objective #6: Teaching and Supporting Caregivers
- Coaching caregivers on using stories as conversation starters
- Addressing caregiver anxieties and emotional readiness
- Encouraging ongoing dialogue beyond therapy sessions
- Establishing caregiver participation levels based on need and comfort
Objective #7: Managing Risks in Story-Based Therapy
- Understanding risks: re-traumatization, misinterpretation, emotional overload
- Differentiating between avoidance and necessary breaks
- When not to use therapy books
- Clinical guidelines for safe application and documentation
Objective #8: Clinical Case Examples and Story Integration
- Sample stories and intervention strategies for: Caregiver addiction, Grief and loss, Building confidence and self-worth
- Role-playing and guided processing
- Customizing discussion prompts and reflective exercises
Objective #9: Research and Evidence Base
- Summary of empirical studies supporting bibliotherapy
- Effectiveness in treating anxiety, grief, adjustment, and trauma
- Use in group, telehealth, and caregiver-led settings
- Neurobiological and developmental rationale
Conclusion and Reflection
- Key takeaways about bibliotherapy’s power and limitations
- Importance of supervision, intentionality, and personalization
- Final reflective questions for practice application
- Encouragement for continued learning and integration
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Leo DeBroeck, MS, LMHC, CMHS, MHP, CBT+
Recording Date: 6/03/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com