RECENT WORK






MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS: FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN AT-RISK YOUTH IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM
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The most common reasons for youth to be placed in foster care are experiences of physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse, and/or neglect. Due to this maltreatment, children in foster care are vulnerable in the areas of emotional, behavioral, neurobiological, and social realms and are at increased risk for negative outcomes in these areas. Because of the severe early childhood trauma they have experienced, this can lead to a disordered attachment style, and as such they will have an increased physiological reactivity during an attachment task with their caregivers. Early trauma and disorganized attachment style lead this population to experience difficulties in many behavioral aspects, such as the ability to regulate emotions in the context of environmental stress. This can cause challenges with the secondary caregivers, and can lead to an unsupportive experience by well-meaning caregivers. However, resilience can lead to a repair in the behavior. Resilience can be learned and nurtured. The role of a supportive mentor can build resilience and lead to a reduction in future pathology of the youth within the foster care system.






Myths, Fairy Tales and Object Relations:
The Journey of Neglected and Abused Adoptees
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Coping with the Loss of a Child Using Complicated Grief Therapy
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