‘Take a Breath’ – an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group program for parents of paediatric burn survivors

Grace Jury¹, Alison Baillie
¹Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Abstract

A child sustaining a significant burn injury can have a profound and long-lasting impact on the entire family system. After the initial trauma of the burn injury and the treatment, families are often challenged with the ongoing chronic nature of managing both the physical changes and psychological impacts. Research indicates that caregivers of children who have sustained a burn injury are at increased risk of developing Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Additionally studies have demonstrated that high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among caregivers of children with burn injuries are associated with poorer physical and psychological outcomes for both the caregiver and child. Children are reliant on their caregivers for helping them cope/ manage their everyday recovery. This demonstrates the importance of ensuring the mental health needs of both the child and parents are addressed to promote positive recovery.

The RCH Burns Team are implementing the ‘Take a Breath’ (TAB) program for primary caregivers. TAB adopts an Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) approach that aims to equip caregivers with skills to empower their lives through honouring challenges and ongoing realities. TAB will teach caregivers mindfulness and acceptance strategies, and values-based living approaches. Additionally, the group aims to foster a sense of community and connection with other parents going through similar experiences.

This presentation will explore the early findings and emerging themes of facilitating and implementing the Take a Breath Program to a cohort of parents or caregivers whose children has sustained a significant burn injury.

Biography

Alison Baillie has been a Social Worker for 22 years, holding a Bachelor and post graduate Master in Social Work. She has worked at RCH Melbourne for 16 years providing psychosocial care to children and their families. She is currently completing post graduate studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Grace Jury is a Senior Social Worker at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Grace has a decade of experience working with children and families, and her current role involves providing psychosocial care following significant trauma and burn injury. Grace has also completed post-graduate studies in grief, loss, and trauma counselling.