24. Treating Families

Question 1

Family Dynamics:

Answer 1

When treating families, include information from all different members how a problem is impacting to them, have others’ perspective, and how they view it as a problem to identify the different problems and their relationships

Question 2

Identified Patients:

Answer 2

When there’s dysfunction in a family system, there may be one person that has the symptoms and are the identified patient

The family is the identified patient as a system, only one is expressing the problem

Question 3

Systems Theory:

Answer 3

Common theory that argues that can’t take any members out and everything is interrelated, the entire system reinforces behavior

Also common, Structural Family Therapy

Question 4

Separating Families:

Answer 4

Look for any hints of domestic violence or child abuse as risk factors

If this is the case, then talk to them individually and do further assessments

Question 5

A type of family relationship with very little separation between members, appears no person in charge, parents are very friendly, children have no consequences, family overshare their problems with children (incest happens here)

Answer 5

Enmeshed Families

Question 6

A type of family where they have little emotional connection, external functionality is minimal, little affection, lack of communication, and dismissive of each other’s feelings

Answer 6

Disengaged Families

Question 7

A manipulation tactic when two people have issues with each other and pull a third party in to relieve tension (such as mom and dad having problems, one will talk to the child about it instead)

Answer 7

Triangulation