Conclusion:

Creating a blog from January to May of 2016 of this semester was very entertaining and fun. The concept of this year was about our career, so all the subjects had to do with our study area. In my case, my area of ​​study is Psychology and Mental Health. Through this blog, I could share weekly issues regarding the field of psychology. There were a variety of topics such as: managing emotions, child abuse, suicide, psychology and special education, among others. They all have to do with the field of psychology and the various problems that arise primarily, attack the emotions of humans. This is why it is important that at a time when we are facing a difficult situation is important to recognize the problem and ask for help to begin to work immediately and seek possible solutions. Everything in life has a solution. Even if it is or seems difficult to overcome, to function properly and healthily, we need to have a good mental and emotional heal.

Creating a blog from January to May of 2016 of this semester was very entertaining and fun. The concept of this year was about our career, so all the subjects had to do with our study area. In my case, my area of ​​study is Psychology and Mental Health. Through this blog, I could share weekly issues regarding the field of psychology. There were a variety of topics such as: managing emotions, child abuse, suicide, psychology and special education, among others. They all have to do with the field of psychology and the various problems that arise primarily, attack the emotions of humans. This is why it is important that at a time when we are facing a difficult situation is important to recognize the problem and ask for help to begin to work immediately and seek possible solutions. Everything in life has a solution. Even if it is or seems difficult to overcome, to function properly and healthily, we need to have a good mental and emotional health.

Guidance on the law about minors:

On April 28, 2016 I attended a conference on minors, conducted by the Department of Family. The conference was hosted by the family attorney in the Justice Department, Wilmary Columbus. The conference was primarily aimed to discuss two very important topics: abuse and negligence. Abuse is defined as a father, mother or guardian of a child that causes or expose risk (intentional omission) and causes any physical, emotional, and mental damage, among others. Negligence is exposing a minor to lack of care, food, and home, among others. However, according to constitutional rights, parents have the right to raise their children as they wish, but this is not absolute as there is a "Parens Patriae" in which the state has the authority or power to intervene when minors or disabled persons cannot defend themselves to provide protection. So, this right yields to the power of the state if a parent is mistreating or neglecting a child. That is where the Law 246 passed in 2011 arises; this law works especially in Puerto Rico with juvenile cases. This brought a new public policy on what is the intervention with cases of abuse of minors. In Puerto Rico, cases of child abuse as cases of domestic violence are the topic of the day; so there is a duty of the citizen; in which it is our responsibility to talk to the authorities if they see or witness any act of violence. Sometimes this does not happen because we fear for the consequences that could happen, but police telephone lines are completely confidential and witness protection programs as well.

As far as I'm concerned, we were born to live and be free, not to be treated like rag dolls. Every human being deserves respect and has rights which must be enforced. This is why it is important in our duty as citizens to have knowledge about the laws because we live in a country in which the crime wave increases every day, more violence and patterns of abuse is generated. Being informed allows us to recognize possible patterns of abuse and what procedures to follow in cases like these because throughout our career as future psychologists this is something that we’ll often witness and must learn to handle.

                                                                  

Family Therapy: Techniques for psychologists

Family therapy is a therapeutic discipline that addresses the intervention and treatment of the family as a whole. From the systemic point of view, the term family and couple therapy is used. However, it is understood that the object of intervention are family systems and subsystems. Family therapy can be developed from different fields, such as psychotherapy. The main objectives of family therapy are: improving the functioning of the family at different levels, increasing mutual understanding and emotional support among members the members, and developing coping strategies and problem-solving skills to different dilemmas and life situations. In family therapy, the therapist works with the family so they can try new ways of interacting with each other or think ways they can solve their problems.

In order to accomplish this, therapists use techniques to facilitate communication. Also, the therapist is free to move around the room, sit next to a family member to achieve establish an emotional connection with those who are resistant or draw attention to a family member. The therapist can also start a conversation between two family members to see their relationship from their perspective. Therapists help clients define treatment goals to improve the problem or symptom. They see development in the life cycle of the individual and couple or family. At the same time, they understand that the relationship between families members created with the use of different techniques is more effective. Listening, empathizing, interpreting and maintain analytical neutrality in family therapy several techniques are several techniques that therapists use. Of these four basic techniques, which are simple but not easy, the most important one is hearing. The therapist’s biggest job is to listen. The therapist does not confront or lead; he or she allows the family to submerge themselves in the experience. When the therapist intervenes, it expresses understanding, support and performs interpretations. Before attempting to make a change in the family, you should question your understanding of them, which he/she clearly understands by their knowledge of the family’s personality and behavior.

However, I believe that family therapy is extremely important because regardless of the problems the family faces, they must solve them to have a better quality of life. The goal of family therapy is to maintain the bond between parents and children, which can be achieved through communication. I believe that seeking help is the best solution to clarify existing problems and maintaining harmony. Family is extremely important and although parents decide not to continue together, family dysfunction should not exist nor affect any party, including children. In addition, as mentioned before, techniques to be performed by a psychologist during therapies are important because these are the key to success for a good handle of individuals, groups, couples and family therapy.