CHA Research Associate Publishes Book for Families of Behaviorally Challenged Children
Emily Rubin published Supporting Siblings and Parents of Children with Behavioral Challenges
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Emily Rubin, LICSW, MSW, MA, research associate in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a community health system serving Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston's metro-north communities, has recently published Supporting Siblings and Parents of Children with Behavioral Challenges: A Clinically Based, Research-Informed Curriculum.
Siblings of children with significant behavioral or mental health needs are frequently exposed to physical and verbal aggression and may experience shame, embarrassment, parentification, anger, and resentment. As they grow, these siblings may also be at increased risk of maladaptive behaviors and anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Despite the vast number of siblings affected, there are very few services focused on supporting siblings, and even fewer focused on supporting extended family members who may be in caregiving roles.
The book is designed for psychiatrists, psychologists, educators, social workers and other mental health professionals to support siblings and parents of children with significant behavioral health needs who are frequently exposed to physical and verbal aggression. The curriculum aims to increase resiliency and minimize trauma among affected siblings, increase parental competency and confidence, build capacity among providers who practice a family-centered approach, and strengthen the family unit.
Ms. Rubin developed the Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative (SSP), the program on which the book is based. She is a clinical social worker with a background in teaching, curriculum development, writing and research. Ms. Rubin's research examines the impact of a child's mental health challenges on their siblings and caregivers, and strategies to build resiliency and decrease trauma within these families. She received the Excellence in Family Leadership Award for "making a significant impact in the field of children's mental health."
She is founder emeritus of the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization addressing the needs of siblings of people with all kinds of disabilities across the sibling lifespan. She has a part-time psychotherapy practice and has published and presented her work nationally and internationally. Ms. Rubin provides consultation to assist individuals and groups with SSP implementation and staff training. She is also available for speaking engagements and professional development workshops and can be reached at emilyrubinlicsw@gmail.com.
Cambridge Health Alliance is an academic community health system committed to providing high-quality care in Boston's metro-north communities. It includes two acute care hospital campuses, an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry specialty campus, a network of primary care and specialty practices, and robust community programs through its regional Department of Community Health and the Cambridge Public Health Department. As the sole public hospital in Massachusetts, CHA has expertise in primary care, specialty care, and mental health/substance use services, as well as caring for diverse and complex populations. Its patients have seamless access to advanced care through system affiliations with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mass. General Brigham for Children. CHA is a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital and is also affiliated with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Tufts University School of Medicine.