Journal of Systemic Therapies

Edited by Cheryl Storm, Pacific Lutheran University
and Gonzalo Bacigalupe, University of Massachusetts Boston

Volume 25, 2006

'The Resolutions Approach: Working with Denial in Child Protection Cases'

Authors: Margaret Hiles M.Sc. and Colin Luger M.Sc.

The authors are both practising Systemic Family Psychotherapists with substantial experience in child protection Social Work.

The authors wish to express their grateful appreciation to
Mark Rivett, Director of Family Therapy Training, University of Bristol, UK, for his invaluable guidance and encouragement.

Abstract
This paper introduces a therapeutic approach, the Resolutions Approach (RA), that is a way of working with child protection cases
where a child has been injured or where there is a risk of sexual abuse and where parental denial is an issue.
The RA is a hybrid approach, using a systemic perspective in work that has a collaborative and solution-focused methodology.
Commencing with a description of the RA, we place the approach in a practical context by way of a case study.
We include participating parents' evaluation of the RA as well as the those individuals who referred cases to the program;
finally, we discuss some of the difficulties, rewards, and differences associated with using the RA in practice.