Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses helping families navigate life transitions using the Flower Empower Model.

Defining Life Transitions

What Are Life Transitions?: Transitions can be both positive (e.g., getting married, having a baby) and negative (e.g., divorce, illness). Regardless, they can cause stress.

Impact on Families: Each family member is affected differently during transitions, such as moving, illness, or marriage. These changes require both individual and collective adjustment.

The Flower Empower Model

Core Concept: The model emphasizes the clinician-family partnership, where clinicians work with families to assess needs and foster a supportive environment.

Vision and Values: The focus is on respect, individual definitions of family, and recognizing the diverse needs of family members during transitions.

Principles of the Model: Emphasizes care, empathy, responsibility, and safety in supporting families through transitions.

Common Life Transitions

Marriage and Divorce: These significant life changes impact everyone in the family, requiring adaptation and emotional support.

Illness and Caregiving: Chronic illness (e.g., cancer, Alzheimer’s) introduces new caregiving needs and role shifts within the family.

Moving: Relocation brings stress related to loss of familiar environments, support systems, and routines, impacting children and adults alike.

Challenges of Life Transitions

Loss and Grief: Every transition involves loss, whether it’s time, friendships, or lifestyle changes. Grieving these losses is part of the adjustment process.

Stress Management: Families must learn to manage the stress that comes with change, as well as the ripple effects it creates within the family unit.

The Role of Clinicians

Partnership and Support: Clinicians play a key role in facilitating family transitions by assessing needs, offering resources, and providing emotional support.

Education and Advocacy: Families often need help navigating systems (e.g., health care, resources). Clinicians assist in linking families to appropriate services.

Conclusion