Raising Differentiation: A Case Study

While on an individual level, we can work towards an understanding of one’s self. I think relationally we must also be able to maintain one’s self within our relationships. congruently, we need to also be able to attend to the needs, wants, and feelings of others. It can often be the case, that within a family system, a member of that system can maintain problems through, failed solutions, escalations, or lack of acknowledging meant. Because of this notion, I prefer family and couples therapy as my modality. The only way we truly know how the system operates is to see it in front of us. If we are going

Whereas, Bowen suggests that family members do not speak to each other and talk directly to the counselor to avoid reactive family members in session with the therapist (Nichols, 2012). However, in Structural therapy, the counselor takes the role of a family member and becomes the focal member in a unit of family conflicts in sessions. Additionally, Bowen postulates that a differentiating of self from the family unit is fulfilled when the relationship is sustained without emotional reactivity or members assuming a part in the triangle (Nichols, 2012, p.

All done within a serene setting, that is designed to be free of distractions, and whereas the therapist I will inspire all members to participate in the therapy, using the systemic processes will help to facilitate this goal. Using the Strategic Family therapy, I will use the two maps of human behavior, which is used to guide me during the healing session. The first is PUSH is the ellipsis, which will authorize my point of view as the therapist (M.U.S.E, 2010). .

Although this family has suffered trauma, they have some strengths to draw upon that can benefit them in their therapeutic process. Both Raul and Nora grew up poor. However, they have both managed to go on and secure reputable careers. Raul as a Master Builder and Nora, as a Physical Therapist. This is evidence that they possess the skills that are needed to overcome adversity and negative cultural expectations. Solution-Focused Therapy would come into play so that the practitioner would engage in conversation to ask questions to help Raul and Nora realize their strength. “The practitioner 's role in the solution-focused process is continually to invite clients to explore and define two matters: (1) what it is they want different in their lives (goals) and (2) what strengths and resources they can bring to bear on making these desired differences a reality. The practitioner affirms and amplifies client definitions of goals, past successes, strengths, and resources as they emerge through conversation. Consequently, these conversations focus more on building solutions than on solving problems.” (Berg and DeJong, 1996).

There are a number of theories under the Family Systems Therapy group that focus on communication patterns within the family unit. Systems theory is based on the family’s response to feedback from one another and the desire of the group to make changes to maintain the status quo. In the family system we discover who we are, we grow and change, and we give and receive support that is necessary for survival (Corey, 2013). A number of theories exist based on various approaches, but the theory behind them is that families are SYSTEMS of interconnected and interdependent individuals and to understand the individual, we must understand the

The eight key concepts Bowen family system theory is used to help understand the social system and provide effective ways to solving problems in those areas (Kerr, 2000). The triangle concept is explained as a three-person relationship where it is used to understand the action and emotion of others (Kerr, 2000). Differentiation of self can be explained on how one view themselves in social groups and families (Kerr, 2000). Depending on how someone handles the interaction in social groups and families can affect how a client think and feels about oneself. The nuclear family emotional process focuses on relationship patterns that develop problem in the family. The four basic relationship patters include marital conflict, dysfunction in one spouse, impairment of one or more children, and emotional distance. The family projection process focuses on the process of which parents transmit their emotional problems to their child or children (Kerr). The multigenerational transmission process describes the level

Richard M. Cash, Ed. D., has received multiple degrees including: a bachelor’s of arts in theatre, a post-baccalaureate degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and doctoral degree in educational leadership. Cash is well versed in curriculum instruction for gifted students and has used that talent and expertise to create higher-level education for all students. Cash has spoken at numerous workshops and staff development training both in the United States and throughout the world, and practices have proven to benefit students learning (Cash, 2011, p. 193).

This emphasis on communication is most closely related to the Family Systems Perspective. This perspective’s goal is aimed towards “[changing] the patterns of relationships that are not working well and helping [to create] new ways of interacting” (Corey, 2016, p. 209). The Family Systems Perspective works to change how individuals communicate with each other within a relationship, to create a more productive environment (Corey, 2016, p. 209). It uses effective communication to resolve ongoing issues between individuals, in ways similar to the I-Statement strategy. Both the Family Systems Perspective and the I-Statement avoid the placement of blame onto individuals, and focus on communicating feelings rather than

As a future marriage, couple, and family counselor it is important for me to have an awareness and understanding of the various theories that are available to use in counselling sessions. As my career evolves, so will my therapeutic orientation. I expect that my theoretical lens will shift slightly. In addition, developing my therapeutic orientation will help enhance my abilities as a therapist. My theoretical lens as it applies to human nature is discussed in this paper as it relates to the Marriage, Family, and Couple theory I selected. Also, discussed in this paper are techniques, factors, goals, related to the Bowen Family Systems theory. This paper will also provide an overview of the eight

For example, a wife might believe her husband doesn't care about her, because he doesn't do what she wants without asking. The therapist might ask her to challenge this assumption and consider it from a different standpoint – maybe the husband doesn't do what the wife wants, because he doesn't know what she wants. If the woman changes her way of looking at the situation, she won't feel frustrated and sad and her behavior will also change, helping her find a new solution to the situation that she is not comfortable

As a marriage and family therapist, it is important to have a firm understanding of both who you are and your values. This concept, is ever present and most important during our training period. We start as individuals, with a passion that leads us to choose this career path and our own preconceived ideas about what it means to be a therapist. It is those preconceived notions or beliefs, that become assumptions and therapeutic viewpoints underlying our treatment methods. There are eight, beliefs and assumptions, in particular, that can contribute to what therapeutic model of treatment we choose to use in our sessions.

The therapist assesses the client level of insight and find an agreement between the couple in which covers both of the partner’s concerns. It is vital for the therapist to recognize the level of the motivation to change in both partners together as well as separately. Assess Tommie for any related disorder such as depression to an adjustment disorder. Assess for any issues of age, gender, or cultural differences that could help the couple explain the problem and the behavior that are related to the problem, and help the couple to better understand each other’s behavior. Determine for the severity of Tommie’s depression (mild, moderate, severe), and assess constantly the level of severity to be efficacy to the

A positive, collegial, solution-focused stance- the overall attitude of the therapist is positive, respectful, and hopeful. The general assumption is that people are resilient and continuously utilize this to make changes. There is a strong belief that most people have the strength, wisdom, and experience to effect change. Looking for previous solutions- the thought is that most people have previously solved many problems, even if for a short time.

Even though my family is close, we place value on the differentiation of self, a concept developed by Murray Bowen (Hutchison, 2015). Each of the members within the family have unique personalities and methods of living life. Each member in my family has always been encouraged to express one’s own opinion and to be independent. We converse about our conflicting opinions, but we are usually respectful and still support one another.

In the strategic and structural family therapies, the therapist’s position was not extensively discussed. However, there has been an emphasis for the therapist to be respectful and empathic in session. For instance, a structural family therapist, in order to produce change, needs to first join with the family members. In joining, the therapist conveys acceptance and respect of family members and their ways of doing things. In this manner, the Milan group’s concept of neutrality is connected with the structural therapy’s concept of joining. The intent for both therapists is also to allow the family members to listen to each other’s stories. While in neutrality, it is a stance that is undertaken throughout the therapeutic process, the structural therapist may move into realigning the boundaries and restructuring the hierarchies in the family. To achieve that, the structural therapist may at times align with one family member. This is where neutrality ends for the structural therapist.