Group Therapy at a Prison for Women: A Therapist’s Perspective

Family Therapy

April 2021

Full Citation

Harris, M. (2014). Group Therapy at a Prison for Women: A Therapist’s Perspective. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 84(1), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377317.2014.862114

Abstract

A wide range of issues are explored that are identified by incarcerated mothers during their participation in a Family Reunification Group at a prison for women. They include concerns regarding parent-child visits; lack of communication by child welfare social workers, attorneys, foster parents, and other caregivers; the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA); lack of finances; past and present unresolved trauma issues; and the absence of notification of scheduled court hearings. This article also provides an in-depth look at how a group therapist established a therapeutic alliance with varied women in the group over a period of 5 years (2008-2013) and maintained a sense of professional self in this controlled setting. Finally, the implications for clinical social work practice and social work education are presented. Confidentiality is ensured with the use of de-identified case composite clinical material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)