Early Childhood Mental Health Treatment: Training Reference Guide

FAQ’s
& Guided Reflection
Multidisciplinary Practice
Q: What are the best strategies to handle conflict
A: Common causes for conflict revolve around differences in service plan recommendations,
not sharing key information or differences of opinion among team and family members.
Avoidance, exertion of power, and withdrawal from the situation are ineffective approaches
to address conflict.
Some of the following strategies may be used to prevent or reduce conflict among team
members:
Develop guidelines for group behaviour and information sharing. Challenge people
when they deviate from those guidelines that have been reached by consensus
Ensure everyone has the same information
Get consensus on what should be done in case of conflict or differences of opinion
Create an atmosphere of mutual respect and open dialogue in which differences of
opinion can be aired
Try to identify underlying issues that may threaten the team’s capacity to resolve
issues and deal with them, e.g., power imbalances, hidden agendas, differences in
communication styles due to culture, gender or education, etc.
Q: What if an impasse is reached, what do we do then
A: Designate a body of last resort that is responsible for hearing and working through conflict
situations or for making a decision if necessary. Use an existing structure such as an
interagency committee or create a new one. Whatever structure is used, it has to have the
capacity and authority to address either an extraordinary service need or a planning impasse.
Guided Reflection
In your own practice what elements of multidisciplinary practice have been the most challenging
to incorporate What has determined successful experiences in working with diverse
service providers
What are your own personal beliefs about confidentiality What does your professional
code of ethics say about confidentiality How would the presence of the family contribute to
your perspective on confidentiality How do you put those beliefs and ethics into practice
What skills or mechanisms have you found useful for conflict resolution in integrated case
management
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