Addtional Famliy Theory Flashcards
What are 4 things a SW must do to work effectively with families
1) understand the development of, as well as the historical, conceptual, and contextual issues influencing, family functioning
2) have awareness of the impact of diversity, particularly re: race, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, aging, and disabilities
3) understand the impact of SW’s family of origin, current family structure, and its influence in a SW’s interventions
4) be aware of the needs of families experiencing unique family problems (domestic violence, blended families, trauma and loss, adoptive families)
What are 11 key clinical issues in family therapy
1) establishing a contract with the family
2) examining alliances with the family
3) identifying where power resides
4) determining the relationship of each family member to the problem
5) seeing how the family relates to the outside world
6) assessing influence of family history on current family interactions
7) ascertaining communication patterns
8) identifying family rules that regulate patterns of interaction
9) determining meaning of presenting symptom in maintaining family homeostasis
10) examining flexibility of structure and accessibility of alternative action patterns
11) finding out about sources of external stress and support
What is strategic family therapy
Active, brief, directive, task-centred
More interested in creating change than in understanding
Focuses in problem resolution by altering the feedback cycle or loop that maintains the symptomatic behaviour
What are 6 techniques used in strategic family therapy
1) pretend technique
2) first order changes
3) second order changes
4) family homeostasis
5) relabelling
6) paradoxical directive or instruction
What is structural family therapy
Stresses importance of family organization for the functioning of the group and well being of members
Family structure is defined as the invisible set of functional demands organizing interaction among family members
What are the 3 ways boundaries and rules are crucial in structural family therapy
1) interpersonal boundaries define individual family members and promote their differentiation and autonomous, interdependent functioning. Dysfunction=rigid enmeshment or disengagement
2) boundaries with the outside world define the family unit, but need to be permeable to allow for reciprocity and contact with social world
3) hierarchical organization in families of all cultures is maintained by generational boundaries, the rules differentiating parent and child roles, rights, and obligation
What are 3 methods to enhance strengths in families
1) collaboration and partnership between a social worker and client
2) creating opportunities for learning or displaying competencies
3) environmental modification-environment is both a resource and a target of intervention
What are negative feedback loops
Patterns of interaction that maintain stability or consistency while minimizing change
What are positive feedback loops
Patterns of interaction that facilitate change or movement toward either growth or dissolution
