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TSSW Faculty Publishes Book on Therapeutic Cultural Routines to Build Family Relationships
Congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Marva Lewis on the recent publication of her book Therapeutic Cultural Routines to Build Family Relationships: Talk, Touch & Listen While Combing Hair©. Social workers and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) helpers need practical, relationship-based clinical tools to support families experiencing stress, separation, and loss. Research reveals key parenting behaviors occur during hair combing interaction (HCI) – lively verbal interaction, sensitive touch, and responsiveness to infant cues. This book explores how the simple routine of combing hair serves as an emotionally powerful, trauma-informed, culturally valid therapeutic tool for use by mental health helpers.