Experiential Family Therapy Part I Whitaker Flashcards
What is the TOL for Experiential Family Therapy
Pathology is defined as family rigidity, low self-esteem and poor communication.
Experiential Family Therapy rooted in what approach?
Existential, humanistic psychology.
Class 12 Notes P. 1
What does Experiential, Humanistic psychology deal with?
The here and now, getting in touch with feelings/emotions, actualizing potential
Class 12 Notes P. 1
How does Whitaker approach therapy?
Pragmatically and deliberately non-theoretically. Therapy is an intimate, interactive experience - therapist and clients are equally vulnerable, client nor therapist take responsibility for the other.
Class 11 notes P. 2
What is the aim of Experiential Therapy?
To help individuals grow within the context of their family.
Class 11 notes P. 3
What does Whitaker focus on?
The emotional process of the family structure, drawing out anxiety, emotions anger and unexpressed emotions.
Class 11 notes P. 3
What does Whitaker seek to uncover?
Uncovered key emotional dynamics in a family system that are suppressing individual growth.
Class 11 notes P. 3
What level does Whitaker work on when conducting Experiential Therapy and what does he rely?
He works on the emotional level and relies on allegory and symbolism.
Class 11 notes P. 3
In Experiential therapy, what do health families have in common?
The grow despite the pitfalls and problems, everyone is included, there is an awareness of the whole and rigid triangles are absent.
Class 11 notes P. 4
How do health families handle problem?
Through the process of negotiation.
Class 11 notes P. 4
Describe a dysfunctional family.
They:
Deny impulses and suppress feelings
Self protective and avoid taking risks
Are rigid and mechanical
Believe confrontation and open conflict can destroy them
Stop growing and get stuck at point(s) in the life-cycle
Class 11 notes P. 5
What does Experiential Therapy enable family members to do?
Help families to experience themselves both as a system and as individuals who are able to become unstuck.
Class 11 notes P. 5
According to Whitaker, what is the mission of Experiential Family Therapy?
To help 3 generational family system maintain healthy separation and autonomy?
Class 11 notes P. 5
According to Whitaker, how are roles determined and what characteristic should they have?
Roles are determined by generation and should be flexible.
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Where are family members encouraged to look in an effort to grow as individuals and as a family?
At themselves
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How does Whitaker describe his style of therapy?
“The psychotherapy of the absurd.”
Class 11 notes P. 5
What are the pieces of Whitaker’s “battle for structure”?
Family sizes up the therapist Family seeks to impose its own definition of what's wrong Who is to blame Who should be a part of therapy How the therapist should proceed Class 11 notes P. 6
What position did Whitaker establish with the family and what does it mean?
He takes the “I” position by protecting his autonomy, insisting that one of his primary goals is his own personal growth.
Class 11 notes P. 6
What are Whitaker’s 4 phases of treatment?
Pretreatment, middle, late phases and separation phases
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What should occur in the Pretreatment phase
Therapist
Establishes that he is in charge
Insists that the family makes its own life decisions outside of their office visits
Class 11 notes P. 7
What occurs in the Middle Phase?
Therapist:
Increases involvement with family
Avoids being absorbed by the family
Relabels symptoms as effort towards growth
Uses confrontation, exaggeration, anecdote/absurdity to help,family change
Class 11 notes P. 7
Describe the Late Phase in Experiential Therapy.
Minimal intervention is needed, the family uses its resources and assumes responsibility for its wellbeing.
Class 11 notes P. 7
Describe the separation phase.
Therapist part with a mixture of jou and loss is experienced.
Class 11 notes P. 7
