Children as active agents in family therapy and network meetings by use of digital stories

Research aims
Family therapy is offered to vulnerable children and their families in situations where professionals have concerns about their wellbeing and development. The therapy may have form of dialogue, exercises and network-meetings with participation of teachers, pedagogues, social workers etc. The aim of the research is to develop new knowledge of how to involve children in therapy and network meetings by use of digital tools in co-operation between children, therapists, and those teachers and pedagogues, who use child-centred pedagogical methods when they support children in their everyday educational setting.

Relationship to previous research works
The study refers to previous work exploring childhood wellbeing from a child perspective and to research on digital medias as pedagogical tools.

Theoretical and conceptual framework
We refer to modern childhood sociology and consider children as active participants calling upon a tradition of child-centred pedagogical practice. Well-being is conceptualized with reference to positive psychology.

Paradigm, methodology and methods
We use participant observation, interviews and perform narrative workshops with professionals with inspiration from Action Research.
10 children (7-18 years) who show signs of lack of wellbeing are selected together with their families. 5 therapists attend a course in media education and apply their new knowledge in therapy. Children’s videos form the basis for therapeutic activity as well as network meetings. The therapists meet in ongoing workshops in order to reflect upon and exchange experiences and initiatives.
Ethnographic observations are carried out during therapy activities, network meetings, as in ongoing workshops with therapists. Qualitative interviews are performed with each family and child regarding children’s participation and wellbeing.

Ethical Considerations
The inquiry depends on informed consent and voluntary participation. Digital stories are considered children’s private property never to be watched or shared without the child being present and in charge. High ethical standards are applied to minimize any distress caused throughout the research.

Main finding or discussion
The research aims to combine different views and ways to approach children, which on one hand advocate for child-centered pedagogy, but on the other hand approach children in exposed positions as vulnerable objects, whom adult professionals have to protect rather than empower.

Implications, practice or policy
The study offers knowledge regarding how professionals meet children as active participants in family therapy and network meetings.
We aim to challenge some of the boundaries, breaches and bridges between professionals from different disciplines in order to offer new opportunities for children to participate in their own lives in the pursuit for wellbeing, also when things are difficult.