family therapy techniques

family therapy techniques

The basic family therapy techniques are elements contained in the first chapter. I am going to analyze the main concerns around the topic. In essence, therapists develop therapeutic alliances while exploring presenting problems to guide them in adopting measures to solve the existing ones. In my viewpoint, therapists ought to assess their legal obligations and level of competence before the initiation of phases for family therapies. It is because it allows both teams to prepare for the actual therapy adequately. Similarly, the leader can explore different interactions within the family and make the family based on both their social context and cultures.

We are living in an ever-changing society where shifts manifest in different aspects. Notably, family therapy evolves through various stages, and in the initial stage, therapists ought to establish connections with their clients. I think the approach remains effective as it allows for proper planning of time, among other aspects, thus encouraging family members to attend the sessions. The first interview often intends to develop an alliance amid the family members, which allows for the development of hypotheses on the presenting problem (McGoldrick et al., 2016). In my opinion, developing a theory gives the therapists hint on the problems and the measures instituted to solve the problem. Therefore, the ideas obtained through the interactions should be acquired as it aids the therapists in noticing unhelpful and unproductive interactions.

The chapter also presents the treatment phases applied in the family phases of therapy. Therapists follow different models, and irrespective of the models, effective therapies for family allows for leaders to address interpersonal conflicts within the family members. The chapter presents the challenges therapists sometimes face when listening to personal feelings. From my point of view, the phases should prevail until the problem at hand is resolved. It is crucial in providing emotional support to individuals throughout the transition.

The chapter also presents psychoanalytic therapists, and for them, termination occurs with two extremes. The first part entails the feeling of satisfaction by the family for the achievement of what they sought through the therapy (McGoldrick et al., 2016). The other option entails the attainment of a point whereby there are diminishing returns with the initiated treatment. Therefore, the therapist ought to maintain a calm environment. It serves as a vital antidote for managing anxiety that accrues with the therapy. In essence, calmness conveys the feeling of confidence that the problem at hand as a solution.

Moreover, the chapter gives enlighten on the importance of family assessment. Indeed, after the treatment, additional considerations ought to be made to the family members. It is because the evaluation facilitates a review of the guidelines for the therapy to ensure that there exists no omission in sessions or treatment. The questions in figure 2.5 from the chapter, aids in the assessment of the group therapy. It allows the therapists to assess whether the problem that drove the family members into seeking counseling has improved.

Chapter 3 presents the essential concepts for family therapy. The chapter presents family systems and their operations that are essential for therapists to understand how different families in the groups exert their influence (Dattilio, 2017). Over the decades, individuals were attributed to societal problems and thus overlooked of families’ issues. In contemporary society, notable shifts in psychology allow for collaborative health. For instance, the illness of one member within a family affects other members. The approach remains significant in that it creates a sense of togetherness among the members. Thus, the members feel a sense of belonging and togetherness owing to inclusivity in treatment. Also, the chapter presents measures that facilitate coping with the problems they encounter. Besides, the chapter explores cybernetic a model that guide the operations of families. Cybernetics allows for the study of different feedback mechanisms amid self-regulating systems (Dattilio, 2017). The feedback loop is also addressed in the chapter and avails the information necessary to maintain various courses.  Likewise, the feedback loop can be negative and positive. As for negative feedback, it indicates the straying of the system and corrections that ought to be addressed. As for positive feedback, they serve to reinforce a direction akin to that of the system. In my viewpoint about cybernetics, it is an essential element that allows families to maintain their stability. Stability within families provides the family to cohesively as a unit despite conflicts and stressors within the family system.

I think the issue with the family cycle is an important topic that questions can be drawn for class discussion. It allows students to understand individual developments and the transitions that affect individuals and families. Also, changes notable in a generation complicates adjustments. Therefore, discussions will help in clarifying different aspects, such as the issue of universality in the family life cycle. The discussion on the topic will also enlighten class members on real values of life cycles. Ultimately, it aids in the understanding of problems that different families encounter as they transition through the life cycles. Gender, culture, and ethnicity are also important aspects that ought to be discussed to expand the student’s body of knowledge. It is beneficial as it helps in impacting positive thoughts to the students. Examples of questions include, what are the broad implications of the family cycle? What are the problems that continually affect the family life cycle, and how can they be addressed? What are some of the challenges therapists encounter when discussing the family life cycle?

 

 

 

 

References

Dattilio, F. M. (Ed.). (2017). Case studies in couple and family therapy: Systemic and cognitive perspectives. Guilford Publications.

McGoldrick, M., Carter, E. A., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2016). The expanding family life cycle: individual, family, and social perspectives. Boston: Pearson.