Empowerment with Parenting (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After the course, you understand the importance of the early interaction between a child and their parents and are able to strengthen and support parenting. In addition to this, you are able to develop and apply a reflective approach to working with families and deepen theoretical thinking in regard to supporting parenting. You are able to identify emotions and thoughts related to working with families and the experiences of family members. You are equipped to examine your own way of operating in different interaction situations and understand the importance of mentalisation theory in practical client work.

Content (course unit)

The content covered during the course includes mentalisation, early interaction, attachment and reflective capability. In addition to this, the course examines cross-generational parenting and the meaning of reflection in parenting and the development of a child. During the course, you will study parenting that promotes the mental well-being and strengthens the resources of the whole family, as well as practice a reflective approach to work for strengthening your own and the parent’s reflective capability. Reflecting on your own actions is a key overarching theme of the course.

Location and time

Online webinars

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

The course uses discussive webinars, independent work, book reading group work and a written reflection assignment as teaching and learning methods. The webinars are interactive learning situations and you will be prepared for them according to the instructions given in advance. Participation in webinars requires a working camera, headphones and microphone. If you use AI in your assignments, please include a verbal description of how, to what extent and where you have used it.

Learning materials

Keinänen, Matti & Martin, Minna (2019) Mieli meissä - Tasapainoista arkea mielentämisen keinoin. Laitinen, I. & Ollikainen, S. (2017). Mentalisaatio. Teoriasta käytäntöön. Therapeia-säätiö. Sinkkonen, J. (2019) Kiintymyssuhteet elämänkaaressa. Helsinki: Duodecim. Viinikka, A. (toim). (2014). Mentalisaatio perheiden kohtaamisessa. Mannerheimin lastensuojeluliitto Oy. Tampere: Hämeen Kirjapaino Oy.

Student workload

Webinars 12 h, preparation for webinars, independent work and reflection study work 96 h, reading group work 27 h, total 135 h.

Further information

The assessment is based on a reading and reflection assignment and a self-assessment.