Chapter 2 Basic Technics Of Family Therapy

Question 0

What important (salient) questions should be covered during the initial call?

Answer 0

How do you hear about me?
How can I help you?
What are the issues and problems?
Is your spouse aware you are searching for a therapist?
Other concerns - insurance/fees

Question 1

What is the goal of the initial contact with a family seeking help?

Answer 1

1. Establish a connection with the caller
2. Listen to the caller’s description of the problem
3. Get an overview of the presenting problem
4. Identify all members of the household and others who might be involved.
5. Schedule a first interview with who should attend - when & where

Question 3

What is the goal of the first family interview?

Answer 3

To build an alliance and develop an hypothesis about what’s maintaining the presenting problem.

Question 4

In the middle phase of treatment, what are the four important attitudes in maintaining a therapeutic alliance?

Answer 4

Calmness, curiosity, empathy and respect.

Question 5

What are the goals of he middle phase?

Answer 5

• facilitate change guided by a treatment plan
• ensure the clients are assuming responsibility for their therapy
• assess for change regularly
• debrief regularly

Question 6

What question should a therapist ask when considering termination?

Answer 6

1. Have the presenting issues and problems been addressed?
2. Is the family/couple satisfied with the improvements
3. Is the family able to answer the following questions:
   
   • what red flags will suggest you are slipping back into old habits?
   • what will you do if this occurs?

Question 7

In the family assessment, what does exploring the presenting problem begin with?

Answer 7

Hearing each members account.

Question 8

What are the 2 steps in the Family assessment.

Answer 8

1. Exploring the presenting symptoms to help families move from helpless to awareness of the benefits of working together to solve problems.
2. Explore the families attempts to deal with the problem.

Question 9

What are the primary goals when treating a child that has been sexually abused?

Answer 9

1. Ensure that the abuse does not reoccur.

2. Reduce the long term effects of the trauma.

Question 10

Describe symmetrical relationship.

Answer 10

Both parties have evenly distributed abilities and roles in a system - an equal relationship.

Chapter 3 class notes p. 12

Question 11

Describe a complementary relationship.

Answer 11

Each party has a distinct role that balance or compliment one another and result in a form of hierarchy.
Ex: 
Distancer/pursuer 
Emotional/logical
Easygoing/organized
Over-functioning/under functioning 

Nichols p. 19
Class 2 notes p. 12