Gaining Knowledge about Resilient Therapy: How Can It Support Kinship Carers?

Lindsay Hill and Angie Hart

This article discusses literature on Resilient Therapy in addition to the results of research on how its use can be a positive tool for kinship care.  The authors point out that Resilient Therapy is underpinned by four noble truths: a) conserve the strengths of current life experiences; b) enlist the help and support of others; c) acceptance; and d) commitment.

Seven kinship carers agreed to participate in the research.  Between them, they cared for nine children ranging in age from five to 18 years old.  Over half the carers were maternal grandmothers. The research aimed to uncover the effective detail involved in the day-to-day care of children.

The study found that children valued living within family networks. Using Resilient Therapy as a means in which to explore effective detail of kinship care provided valuable insight into how kinship carers and children navigate changing family structure.