Chapter 2 Flashcards
find out what the presenting problem is and arrange for a consultation with everyone living in the family household should be done when
During an initial phone call to a therapist
In the first session a therapist should
develop a therapeutic alliance and explore the presenting problem.
a therapist must gently challenge the family’s tendency to attribute problems to only one family member In order to
move a family from a linear point of view (way of thinking)
A ________ ________ starts with presenting problem, but then explores the family’s interactions, culture, and social context.
thorough assessment
______ _________ require confidentiality, practicing only within a one’s areas of competence, and avoiding dual relationships.
Ethical obligations
The idea that one event is the cause and another is the effect; in behavior, the idea that one behavior is a stimulus, the other a response.
Linear causality
Martial problems and sexual abuse of children require
a specialized approach
A schematic diagram of the family system, using squares to represent males, circles to indicate females, horizontal lines for marriages, and vertical lines to indicate children.
genogram
Two kinds of information that are particularly important are
solutions that don’t work and transitions in the life cycle.
most important focus topic for clients to maintain successful therapy
Families strengths not their weaknesses
most families seek treatment because
they failed to adjust to changing circumstances
how memebers of a group or family relate
process
The first strategy asking process or circular questions, is favored by
Bowenian
an explicit agreement about terms of treatment
treatment contract
“Pushing for change” may suggest a confrontational style. But what’s required?
a relentless commitment to helping make things better.
Dwelling on problems
Problem-saturated stories
the relation between the therapist and the clients.
to consist of tasks, bonds, and goals
therapeutic alliance
common factor that enjoys the most empirical support
empathic understanding that makes family members feel respected—and makes them open to accepting challenges.
therapeutic alliance
pursuit of change
what it takes to see families through to successful resolution of their problems.
use gentle questions or persistent encouragment
simple cause and effect thinking that ignores patterns of circular interactions
linearity
challenge unhelpful interactions by
point out patterns that seem to be keeping people stuck
people aren’t likely to reconsider their assumptions
until they have been heard and understood
to make family members more aware of their roles in problems
suggest new ways of relating.
telling people just to notice something, without trying to change it, is often instructive
the therapist should take a less active role and encourage family members to interact more with each other in
the middle phase
either point out what went wrong or simply encourage family members to keep talking—but with less interruption and criticism when
Dialogue bogs down
alternating between having family members talk with each other or with the therapist will
Regulate level of anxiety
four attitudes are important in maintaining a therapeutic alliance
C.R.E.C Calmness Respect Empathy Curiosity
for most therapsit termination comes between
family feeling they have achieved what they came for and the therapist’s sense that treatment has reached a point of diminishing returns.
Focus on reviewing what the relationship has accomplished and saying goodbye
Termination
first challenge for a family therapist is to move families from
linear and medical model thinking to interactional perspective
the idea that actions are interrelated through a series of recursive loops or repeating circles
circular causality
periods in life involving change to your lifestyle
life-cycle transitions
stages of family life from separation from one’s parents to marriage, having children, growing older, retirement and finally death
family life cycle
an emotional barrier that protects the integrity of a relationship and betweeen the relationship abd the outside world
boundary
smaller units in families, determinded by generation, sex or function
subsystems
recurrent patterns of interactions that define and stabilize the shape of relationship
stucture
enmeshed
emotional overinvolvement
personality trait that relates to how dutiful a person is- their desire to do a thorough job.
conscientiousness
it’s important to include the entire family for a consultation and to challenge the idea that the problem exists only inside the identified patient, but rather includes not only that person but also the network of relationships around him or her to establish ,
a framework for a family systems approach
helping a family reorganize to resolve their problems, rather than having the therapist take over that job is
Successful family therapy
A thorough assessment explores not only the presenting problem but also the
family’s dynamics and social context.
Ethical practice requires not only using common sense but also being aware of
the ethical guidelines of one’s profession
Treating cases of sexual abuse requires
insuring that the abuse does not recur and reducing the effects of trauma.
