Relevant themes are tackled from multidisciplinary approach in series of events held in collaborative effort between Willingness Malta and psychology students
Traditional therapies and helping professions in the western world have supported many individuals across history. Along the years, different disciplines have steadily evolved and developed stronger paradigms to help people. However, this style and system is occasionally viewed as fraught and replete with shortcomings.
The challenge with specialisations is that they create expertise in one particular field, inevitably leading a professional to have exceptional focus on one aspect while ignoring others.
Research has tackled the item of fragmentation in care in some depth and various studies have examined the pitfalls of even the most well-intentioned individual interventions. Some researchers write about the need for an integrated approach – a system which celebrates the value of dialogue among different professionals.
An integrated approach, or as it is commonly known, multidisciplinary approach, is a form of intervention which brings along different professionals to discuss a situation. The ramifications of this type of intervention have been associated with reduced levels of ambiguity, enhanced alignment towards an objective, improved cost-effectiveness and improved collaboration. And the implications in a therapeutic setting are even more valid.
Therapies should embody the relation of the body, mind and spirit. This is why, the University of Malta’s Psychology Students’ Association, Betapsi, and Willingness Malta, created 360˚ in 2014.
360˚’s mission is to create educational and informative events that are not based on one sole perspective, but make use of a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach. Its vision is to encourage diversity in both knowledge and skill while gathering a deeper appreciation of other disciplines and the potential advantages in allowing professionals to accommodate larger functional understanding of material and integrated knowledge, instead of working behind isolated perspectives.
Therapies should embody the relation of the body, mind and spirit
Therefore different relevant and current topics are tackled from various angles by professionals in numerous fields, including the field of psychology, psychiatry, social work, youth work, medicine, law, religion, sociology and philosophy among others.
The first event was titled Sex 360˚, a day seminar held on March 7, 2015.
Earlier this year, a multidisciplinary workshop was organised at the University of Malta.
A young man suffering from borderline personality disorder and his relationships were discussed among the team members who were divided into groups.
A sex and relationship counsellor facilitated a discussion about his relationship with his partner. A parent coach discussed the effect such a mental health issue would have on parenting and the client’s siblings’ upbringing. A psychiatrist discussed the treatment possible and the implications this might have on the individual and all of his relationships, while a family therapist discussed the dynamics of the whole family when one suffers from borderline personality disorder.
On Saturday, Skyparks will be hosting an estimated 100-150 students and professionals for a conference titled Family 360 Multidisciplinary Approach to Family. This conference will be discussing and disseminating information regarding family, relationships, parenting, childrenand adolescents, sexuality and other related topics, using the 360˚ multidisciplinary approach.
This year’s conference will see professionals from the Psychology Department; Sociology Department; and Family Studies Department at the University of Malta; as well as the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality; National Commission for Persons with Disability; Institute for Family Therapy; and KiN services by Willingness, among many others.
For more information regarding events or applications, one can access the 360˚ page and its events directly on Facebook, or by contacting us on 360multidisciplinary@gmail.com.
• Matthew Bartolo is a founding member of Willingness Malta.