Nicky McWilliam and Danielle Jaku-Greenfield will be speaking at The International Congress on Law and Mental Health in Berlin 2011
Title of Presentation: Enhancing the wellbeing of individuals involved in family separation: the therapeutic benefit of a narrative/visual communication approach
Abstract:
Sensory processing can be viewed as the foundation to a person’s development and understanding of reality. In particular, the narrative/visual legal communication approach can provide effective communication, support for individuals, and can assist in the development of children, who are involved in family separation. These types of resources aid lawyers, psychologists, parents and family members in communicating family separation and accompanying changes in the family’s situation by providing information and a context. An example of this narrative /visual communication approach is the self-help children’s series Two Birthday Cakespublished and written by lawyers /mediators Danielle Jaku-Greenfield and Nicky McWilliam . Recognising the interests of the children are paramount, this series focuses on the experience and perceptions of the children in a family separation scenario. The narrative/visual process of reading a picture storybook to young children about another family’s separation and situation legitimizes the experience and gives broader understanding of the situation to all participants who are reading, looking, and listening. The books promote family reliance as well as continuity of family relationships post separation by emphasizing a very broad definition of family. The central message is that regardless of the nature of, and changes to, the parents’ relationship, and physical surroundings, the children’s needs remain the same. Increased and constructive communication of feelings is highlighted. By endorsing alternative dispute resolution processes, the books underline the need for future plans to be nutted out collaboratively with an understanding of the uniqueness of each family situation.
