The Family Co’s Child, Youth & Family Team received a referral from Sutherland Community Mental Health to support a Mum and Dad needing support for their Son, Austin* who was having difficulty expressing his emotions, and lashing out physically.

Both parents had their own physical and mental health concerns. Mum had previously expressed thoughts of suicide, and was able to tell the case worker about how the struggles they were currently facing was directly impacting how they were coping with their Austin's behaviour.

Mum and Dad agreed to be supported in learning emotional regulation tools to support their relationship with Austin, while he was able to engage in sessions to learn strategies that they could all implement together.

The case worker provided support through:

• Teaching mindfulness activities which aimed to increase Austin's emotional intelligence, helping him to recognise emotions within his body.
• Supporting with emotional regulation strategies and available supports within the home.
• Providing opportunities for Austin to be safely supported during appointments when he was feeling frustration and anger, and assisting to label emotions and the sensations within his body.
• Coaching mum and Austin with strategies for emotional regulation they could implement at home, and how mum could support him further in these moments.
• Creating a sensory toolbox for Austin to use at home, which he now uses regularly before bedtime.

These ongoing strategies & support, enabled the family to start working together, and connecting better in the home, and saw positive outcomes for both parents & Austin.

*Names have been changed for privacy. 

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