Meeting the mental health needs of children in foster care: The perspectives of professionals from three disciplines

Meeting the mental health needs of children in foster care is a pressing clinical issue. Many children are entering and remaining in foster care without access to services that would promote their mental health and self sufficient adjustment (Simms, Dubowitz, & Szilagyi, 2000). I reviewed potential disparities in the assessment, treatment, and collaboration processes among foster care professionals in meeting the mental health needs of children in foster care. Perspectives regarding this problem were obtained from (a) foster parents, (b) social workers, and (c) child and family psychotherapists. I then created a resource guide for foster care professionals (particularly relevant for child and family psychotherapists) to help them better meet the mental health needs of children in foster care.;Results of the research suggested that there are many changes that need to be made in hopes of helping children in foster care heal from abuse and trauma. Two key barriers in foster care identified were a general lack of importance placed on the mental health needs of children in foster care and a failure of collaboration between foster care professionals in the interest of the children.;Part of the uniqueness of the resource guide developed is that it was not only designed to be useful for psychotherapists, foster parents, and social workers but it was partially created by them. Future research on the mental health treatment of children in foster care is suggested to focus on policies and regulation that relate to the quality of care of children in foster care.;The sample in this study consisted of two foster parents, two social workers, and two child and family psychotherapists. Interviews were conducted using questionnaires to determine participants' opinions about the foster care system and their experiences with assessment and treatment services of children in foster care. Themes were then derived from the acquired data using content analysis in which answers to the questionnaires were compared within and between each group of participants: foster parents, social workers, and child and family psychotherapists.