While I was in grad school and working an internship as a School Social Worker, I was struck by the power the home environment has on kids. Ya, I could run a group and create specific structures for the kids at school, but I rarely had an effect on the way things were for them at home. One of the things I love about my current job as an Intensive In-Home Therapist is that I AM able to be in the middle of that kid’s home life and make read changes for them. And even though each family has its own struggles with change, I think I’ve already begun to take for granted the idea that during my six weeks with a family I WILL be able to induce positive changes (however small).
One of my current cases has caused my emotions to get all twisted up because we’re near the end of the six weeks and I’m beginning to ponder if the basic necessary changes are even POSSIBLE, and ultimately if this really is the best place for this kid. One of the kid’s friends also suffers from a distraught home life and part of me just wants to take them both home. But how can you possibly weigh the child’s attachment and the parent’s good intentions against the parent’s lack of basic life skills and the kid’s ability to fend for themselves?
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