WELCOME WITHOUT SEPARATION: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE TO PROMOTE THE STRENGTHENING OF FAMILY TIES

Abstract

This report describes the experience of a mandatory 20-hour internship in Social Psychology, completed at a Joint Foster Home in Curitiba, Paraná, between April and May 2025. The institution, Associação Beneficente Encontro com Deus (Encounter with God Beneficent Association), welcomes mothers and children in situations of social vulnerability and domestic violence, promoting joint foster care to prevent family separation and additional trauma. Founded in 2000, the association offers a safe environment and multidisciplinary support, with a team composed of psychologists, social workers, and educators. The foster care process is divided into three main phases: reception and psychosocial assessment, search for a support network and professional training, and preparation for reintegration and removal, as well as post-foster care follow-up. During the observations, the intern attended technical meetings and the arrival of new families, noticing the challenges faced by the team. The report also highlights the importance of the psychologist's work at the institution, focusing on active listening, guidance, and strengthening bonds. The experience provided a practical perspective on psychology's role in this social context.