Ann Marie Pike
HWYL Associates Therapeutic Mental Health Clinic, New Zealand
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother
As a child and family therapist, the incidence of autism within a family unit can be a unique experience therapeutically. Its pervasive characteristics can create bonds and barriers between parent and child, siblings, school staff and in social frameworks. These stresses can contribute in many elements of negative family dynamics and co-morbid issues. In a multimodal approach involving the whole family systemically, I have found an increase in the therapeutic relationship through trust building, further resilience in anxiety and depression, confidence building in parents and in children, an increase in communication through giving language to emotion. In a multi-modal therapeutic approach, the following interventions are simultaneously used: Psychoeducation-outlined for parents (can include marriage concerns), comic strip conversations-(carol gray), social stories (carol gray, re-framing), management of problem behaviors, management of rigid behaviors and special interests, management of anxiety and engagement activities (e.g. art therapy, equine therapy, special interest). The therapist must observe each individual and their family members as unique within this paradigm as a whole part-with ALL facing and working with the ASD as it relates to themselves (inside or outside the diagnosis).
Ann Marie Pike has specialized in the interventions of ASD, ADHD, learning and behavior issues and educational inclusion. She has completed her BA in Behavioral Psychology, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Post Graduate in Family and Systemic Therapy and Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Diagnostics and Research from Otago University, Otago New Zealand. She is the Co-Owner/Founder/Director of HWYL Associates Therapeutic Mental Health Clinic in Paraparaumu, New Zealand.
