Tutorial 5 · Partnering with Families in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Entering a Partnership with Families (continued)
How consultants enter a relationship with a family can have lasting effects on the family’s level of participation and understanding of ECMHC. To support a positive beginning to this new relationship, the consultant may consider the following tips:
Immediately invite the parents into a partnership, conveying respect for them as the individuals with the greatest familiarity and expertise on their child. Continually seek their perspective on the child and the situation. - Clarify the purpose of consultation and describe the consultation process as many times as necessary, verbally and in writing, during the initial meeting with the family.
- Explore the family’s expectations about their role in consultation, clarifying how they might be involved.
- Carefully explain to families and caregivers that all information gathered is confidential and that families have the right to dissolve ECMHC services per their request at any time.
- Actively listen to family members’ point of view on what they are feeling, thinking, and observing at this time. Elicit their concerns about their child and help them prioritize goals.
- Repeatedly convey support of the parents, as well as a willingness to help them work with their child’s caregiver to improve the situation for their child. Emphasize the positive effects of consultation to build hope.
Download: Tips for Supporting a Positive Beginning to New Relationships With Families (Word)
This website was made possible by grant number 90YD0268 from the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views or policies of the funding agency nor does publication in any way constitute an endorsement by the funding agency.
