Instruction
Module 5 Discussion Board: Impact of substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse on the family unit
Families face many challenges in today’s world and marriage, couple, and family counselors (MCF) are the professionals who help families navigate difficult times. Issues such as substance abuse, family violence, divorce, mental illness, infidelity, or child abuse often devastate families and because of the complex nature of these issues, MCF counselors need specialized knowledge and skills to address them. These types of issues affect each member of the family individually and the system as a whole. The impact is felt across generational lines and can result in lasting patterns of problematic behavior when left unaddressed
This week, you will examine the impact that issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse have on families, including the effect that each issue may have on individual family members. In order to effectively conceptualize the impact of these types of issues, you will need to consider the impact they have on various units within a family structure (i.e., couples, parent/child relationships, extended families, and the family system as a whole). As you consider the resulting impact of these issues, you will be challenged to develop a framework for intervention using empirically supported treatments and evidence-based practices.
In this Discussion, you will examine the impact of substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse on the family unit. You will specifically examine counseling interventions that can help the family unit to recover from such difficult issues. For this week's discussion forum, respond to the following:
Think about the similarities and differences in how these issues may affect families, as well as how the effects may compare to the potential effects of other issues.
Analyze the impact of one area (i.e., substance abuse, domestic violence, or child abuse) on couples and families. Compare the methods for treating the issue you selected using your learning resources and at least one article from the Lamar University Library that supports your position.
Provide a list of 3 APA references that your colleagues could use to learn more about your area of discussion.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings and respond to colleagues who discussed a different issue than you discussed.
Respond by Day 6 to at least three of your colleagues who chose different points to address. Expand on your colleague’s posting in one of the following ways:
Discuss a technique or theory that they did not address.
Discuss how solution focused theory can be used with these issues.
Discuss an article from the Lamar University Library that you cited in your original post and how it relates to your colleague’s discussion.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Use examples to support your ideas. Be sure to cite your points using the learning resources. You may also use other scholarly literature to support your discussion. Citations and references must be in APA format. See the grading rubric for more information.
Peer Response: Respond to a minimum of 3 peers with substantive responses and support these responses with references. Peer responses must occur on three separate days. See the grading rubric for more information.