Great analogy, Allan! Our relationship with the parent and how we try to equalize it really does matter. Imagine if your physician asked you to demonstrate something that felt very personal and medical (aka unfamiliar) right there on the spot. We’d probably feel pretty uncomfortable too – but if we have a good relationship that’s built on respect and trust, then we’d know it is a safe space and we’d hopefully be more comfortable sharing. Thanks for your input here. Please let me know if your staff have any other insights as you dig into this topic for further discussion!

The topic is a critical one for discussion. We are relationship based in our approach however the relationship starts out unequal due to perceptions and assumptions. Interventionists do have specialized knowledge and can be perceived as the expert. An analogy that might be similar is with the medical community. In the past your physician was the one who was in charge of your health care. Now it is recognized that you the patient is an active partner in your own health care. My visits with my doctor are now more discussion and requests for my input and thoughts. He is far more interested in my concerns or worries about treatment procedures and works with in that.

I think this is like the interventionists visit. Being able to sense discomfort with a parent and willing to ask about it is a respectful relationship. These interactions will build upon each other to further our ability to truly support families.