Narrative and collaborative practices in work with families that are homeless.
This article reports on the use of narrative therapy ideas and practices in working with families that are homeless in a shelter-based, multiple-family discussion group program called Fresh Start for Families. It begins with a review of the challenges facing homeless families. It then briefly describes the collaborative methods used to develop the program. It then describes a range of practices and activities that provide opportunities for families to be witnessed in telling their stories of challenge and coping, to help and be helped by other families experiencing similar challenges, to reconnect and strengthen a positive sense of family identity while externalizing the constraining, stigmatizing descriptions associated with homelessness, and to envision and take steps towards their preferred futures.
Fraenkel
Peter
P
Department of Psychology, The City College of New York, North Academic Center, 138th Street and Convent Avenue, New York, New York 10031, USA. p.fraenkel@verizon.net
Hameline
Thomas
T
Shannon
Michele
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004644:Emotions; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D033262:Narration; D009519:New York City; D011287:Prejudice; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011638:Public Housing