Professional Training
Julie Thorsheim, ACSW, of KST Associates, provides consultation and training in representational family sculpturing and other interactive techniques to contribute to skills development of professional social service personnel and mental health clinicians in both the public and private sector, including community mental health agencies and private practice. Following one such Clinical Training Seminar, Chief Psychologist, Dr. Wayne Ehrisman, wrote Thorsheim saying, “I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your presentation on the Kvebaek Family Sculpting Technique at the Southwest Mental Health Center two weeks ago. Your presentation was very informative regarding the clinical and theoretical foundations of this technique, and your style of presentation and skillful use of case material provided clear illustrations regarding how it can be applied in clinical practice.” He called the presentation “a breath of fresh air.” From his perspective as a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, he noted the importance of renewing an emphasis on knowledge and training in family systems theory and therapy in current child training programs in departments of Psychology and Psychiatry.
Professors in other American universities who are educating medical students and residents also recognize the importance of providing their students with a foundation in family systems concepts. This is particularly important for those men and women who enter the specialties of family medicine and pediatrics. Of note in this regard is a 1992 article in the journal, Family Systems Medicine, by Botelho, et al, entitled “Using the Kvebæk board for brief systems consultation: A teaching technique for preceptor-resident encounters.” (See Literature for detailed reference.)
Educators in Schools of Nursing also have an interest in imparting family systems theory and practice to their advanced practice students. A search of the literature will discover articles related to both research and clinical practice in nursing journals. Thorsheim has been invited to provide an overview of the Kvebæk Family Sculpture Technique to a class in Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing at the University of Minnesota.
If you are involved in educating our future doctors, nurses, family therapists, psychologists or social workers you may wish to consider including a greater emphasis on family systems in your curriculum. Even one class hour of focus on the Kvebæk Sculpture may provide a significant and engaging addition to the students’ professional education. To explore this further, click the Contact Us link on the Sidebar.