Applying Bowenian and Structural Theories
Applying Bowenian & Structural Theories For this assignment, two different theoretical approaches will be discussed, Bowenian family therapy and structural family therapy, and they will be used individually to construct a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals. Within each treatment plan discussed, short-term and long-term goals of therapy will be established and the family’s presenting problems will be defined. Two techniques that will be assigned to help them reach their therapeutic goals and any expected outcome from using those techniques will be discussed.
The Presenting Problems Judy, Adrian, and Pamela are a family of three that have all come into
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This technique was chosen because Pamela uses anger and/or shutting down to cope with perceived threats within her family. The entire family could benefit from this technique so that they may go from using emotionally reactivity to shifting towards a more functional cognitive process while engaging with one another (Gladding, 2010).
Differentiation of self This a good technique to use because there is a high level of fusion occurring between Pamela and her parents (Psychotherapy.net). Pamela is dominated by her automatic emotional responses (anger and shutting down) and appears to lack functional levels of adaption and flexibility, especially during high stress times or when expected to do things independently. Pamela cuts herself off from the family emotionally in attempts to avoid being controlled or overwhelmed. Judy has given up on being close with Pamela and has accepted the emotional distance present between them.
Expected Outcome The expected outcome for using both of these techniques is to decrease the symptoms plaguing the family but more specifically increase the overall wellness of the entire family system. Using nonanxious presence will help demonstrate lower levels of arousal and better communication skills (Gladding, 2010). The family may learn not to react as emotionally with one another, thus lower the intensity when they
According to the vignette, I feel most comfortable choosing Bowenian family therapy as the pioneer approach and narrative family therapy as the postmodern approach for this family. Of course, that decision would be according to the family needs and if they were unreceptive, I would modify my approach. For the purposes of this paper, the approaches mentioned above are the two that might be most appropriate to proceed through assessment and treatment.
Brown, J. (2008). Is bowen theory still relevant in family therapy field? Journal of the Counselors and Psychotherapists Association of NSW 3. Retrieved from http://www.familysystemstraining.com/papers/is-bowen-theory-still-relevant.html
My first assumption of family therapy was to involve the parents and the individual that had the problem. This book explored further what it
During the first session boundaries and ground rules were set. In this session my goal was to get to know the whole family and learn about each of their concerns and what they each wanted to gain from therapy. I went around the room and asked each one to describe how each one viewed their family structure as a whole. I let Marge begin since she seemed to be the most eager one in starting family therapy. Her main concerns were having her husband’s support, her son’s
Chapter One: In this chapter talks about the history of many decades where the different therapist is treating family members separated from the family and eventually when one member of the family sought help and got better another one seems to be affected. These different observations lead to begging the family therapy movement (Nichols, M. 2017).
The primary goals in Bowenian Family Therapy are to lessen anxieties (and therefore blaming, conflict, and reactivity) caused by emotional responses, and to increase differentiation so that family members can
Family therapy is a technique that has many alternative approaches to every aspect of treatment which Nichols (2014), states may present a challenge when describing a basic technique. The two models of family therapy in which I feel that I would be most effective and comfortable with would be, experiential family therapy and solution-focused brief therapy. I feel most comfortable with these models because, I adapt to the role of the therapist of both therapies naturally. According to Nichols (2014), when families seek therapy they are stuck in a life-cycle transition, sometimes they are obvious and sometimes they are not obvious. I’ve found that during the first session an excellent question is to ask the client why now so that they can
After reading two articles it was interesting to note the differences and similarities between the two intellectual and highly respected individuals within the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Each makes many valid points yet with such opposing viewpoints. By taking a closer look at some specific areas one may see that though these men have different beliefs on how treatment should be conducted, there are also some parallels. Some of the topics will include the history and future of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), what they agree and disagree on along with the challenges each has dealt with. Finally the author of this paper will provide insight as to what this means for her as she begins her journey to becoming a Marriage and Family therapist.
Gehart, D. (2014). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. (2nd ed.). California State University,Northridge:
For this paper, I have chosen to reflect on my current client, Jackson Morgan. I have selected Solution Focused Family Therapy as the best fit based on the Morgan family needs and strengths. I will discuss how I would apply this method, handle obstacles, and develop a collaborative treatment plan. Moreover, I will assess my ability to effectively evaluate treatment efficacy and to control my personal biases in Therapy.
There are a series of steps involved in integrated systemic couples therapy (Goldman & Greenberg, 1992). First, the therapist and the couple define the issue. A negative cycle is determined, but not necessarily by the couple; the therapist could determine the negative cycle instead. The therapist and couple come together to restructure that negative cycle, and try to redefine the problem with a positive spin. The important aspect of integrated systemic therapy is that the therapist encourages the couple to progress at their own pace (Goldman & Greenberg, 1992). Restraint is a key component because it allows the couples examine their actions, as opposed to rushing into
Marriage and Family Therapy is a brief solution-focused form of psychotherapy used to treat a wide array of problems ranging from depression and marital problems, to alcoholism and schizophrenia, in a couple and family system context. Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) are trained and licensed mental health professionals who are capable of diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within those systems. They are required to have a master’s or doctoral degree with specialized marriage and family therapy training. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) also requires MFT’s to have a minimum
In marriage and family therapy, many varied approaches and therapies are available to therapists. The following, based upon a case study, will examine the three therapies (structural, systemic and solution focused therapy) and will demonstrate why solution focused therapy is likely the most effective for the case study at hand.
Lebow, J. L., Chambers, A. L., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. M. (2012). RESEARCH ON THE TREATMENT OF COUPLE DISTRESS. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145-68. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1115574142?accountid=458
The counselor or therapist has several theoretical approaches that can be used and applied in the treatment process as well. In the words of Yarhouse, he indicates, “The philosophical assumptions underlying solution-focused family therapy can be difficult to identify, since it is, uniquely atheoretical.” According to de Shazer, “There is no explicitly identified model of normal family development. Indeed, proponents of solution-focused family therapy emphasize making no assumptions about what is “normal” for a family, nor does it concern itself with a model of abnormal family functioning: The theory has nothing whatsoever to say about “problems, complaints,