How families can support a child's mental health | Paul Sunseri | TEDxFondduLac

Paul Sunseri, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in children’s mental health and is a pioneer in family therapy. He is the founder of three community mental health agencies and has worked to improve the lives of countless children and families over the past three decades. Dr. Sunseri is also a researcher and has published original research on the relationship between family functioning and children’s mental health. His most recent study (“Hidden Figures: Is the Key to Improving Children’s Mental Health through Better Family Functioning?”) is the largest research study ever conducted and shows that children and adolescents with serious mental illness benefit the most when their family as a whole is treated and family functioning improves. Dr. Sunseri is also the developer of Intensive In-Home Family Treatment (IIFT), an innovative treatment approach for children and teens in high conflict families for which traditional outpatient therapy has been ineffective.

[lanagarvin]

This is some great info!!! As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I can attest to the importance of treating the whole system (family) when working with children and adolescents! I especially love the idea of teaching non-reactivity. Dr. Sunseri’s family- oriented approach with the focus on connectivity is the gold standard for child and adolescent well-being. I have seen in my own practice an increase in positive outcomes in therapy for adolescents when the parents and family are integrated into treatment. Thank you for shedding a light on these principles for parents and clinicians alike!

[howardglasser]

This is a beautifully hearted treatise on connection.I love how Dr. Sunseri 'connects' the dots and brings it all squarely home to the family.

[janeenmalcolm]

This really makes total sense. When a family as a whole functions better, the child's attitude and behaviors are better, but it does start with the parents making those family behavior changes. Paul has helped our family with putting the "Components of a Well-Functioning Family" in place. It takes practice but we've seen the benefits. Thank you, Paul, for sharing your research and for putting this out to help struggling families. Everyone would benefit from hearing this information...

[andrespena]

change is hard but very much worth it, and no one wins on a fight, everyone gets hurt and often the fight is worse than the problem that triggered it. as parents we want to help our children and a loving environment always helps

[taylorberends]

Love this! From a public health perspective, environmental factors (aka the family) are always going to influence how we approach mental health issues. Social support is one of the best coping mechanisms for battling mental illness especially. Family therapy comes from a holistic perspective that treats more than just individual factors. This treatment approach has so much potential to change family dynamics as we know it!

[jenniferlotery]

After 30 years as a psychologist working with children and teens, I wholeheartedly agree that families can be the most powerful medicine. If the adults in the family aren't able or willing to commit to resetting repeatedly to non-reactivity, encouragement, and compassion it is much less likely that the child or teen will heal.

[soulfood]

Excellent talk. Useful points. As a mental health professional I intend to share this information with others.

[karenh]

Very simplistic approach.When there has been intergenerational dysfunction there is no quick fix.

[LittleStepstoWellness]

This is a very good post. I will save it.

[droberts]

I agree but government usually overides family and friends

[NF]

When one parent is connected and the other disconnected over a 26 year span and the child is now 25 years old suffering from multiple mental illnesses and the one parent has washed their hands cleaned and all of both families have washed their hands clean

More importantly when the attorneys, hospitals/crisis centers, cops, courts, government won’t step in unless a crime is committed

Plus you add economy, inflation and no job/insurance and no one wants to speak to you like you have a disease

Hence the full jails and horrendous homeless issue

No one cares and no one’s coming

It’s a living unbearable nightmare to endure and not looking forward to each day

Signed,

2023

[davidkokaska]

Yeah let’s not Kidd ourselves psychiatric care is very very expensive. And if you’re low income your choices and options will be more limited.

[iamaliveyoucantstopnow]

It’s the family’s fault the child has issues. So how can the parents actually help when they are the problem in the first place?

[droberts]

Courts ordering both parents to work does not in my opinion help.