Family and Couples Counseling Flashcards
What’s the contribution of Virginia Satir to family therapy?
■ Considered a founder of experiential approaches to family therapy
■ Focused on the communication that
families engage in
What is the contribution of Murray Bowen?
■ Founded Family Systems Theory or Bowen Theory
■ Focused on how to conceptualize
problems as a result of the family of origin
What is family systems theory?
■ Individuals are best understood through assessing the interactions
between and among family members
– E.g., self-report, direct observation in session
What are assumptions of family systems theory?
Client behaviors can:
■ Serve a function in the family
■ Be unintentionally maintained by family processes
■ Be a function of family’s inability to operate productively
■ Be a symptom of dysfunctional patterns
– Intergenerational
How do problems develop according to family systems theory?
Triangulation, Fusion, emotional cutoff, multigenerational transmission process
what is triangulation?
Process in which two people who are in conflict involve a
third person in order to reduce the tension and avoid conflict in the relationship.
what is fusion?
Family members’ feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are merged (undifferentiated)
what is emotional cutoff?
Boundaries are too rigid, and family members are not in
emotional contact
what is the Multigenerational transmission process?
Dysfunctional patterns are passed from generation to generation
How does change occur according to family systems theory?
■ De-triangulate
– The therapist brings attention to the role that each person is
playing
– Family members are then helped to communicate neutrality.
■ Differentiation while remaining connected
– How do “I” feel?
What is the most common problem addressed in couples therapy?
Communication—84%
– Excessive demands
– Withdrawing
– Expecting partner to read mind
– Not listening to the other person
– Yelling, arguing, shouting…
also….
■ Unrealistic expectations for a relationship or a spouse—56%
■ Little demonstration of affection/sex—55%
■ Power struggles—52%
■ Decision making issues—49%
■ Money management issues—39%
What are four types of problematic communication that are focused on in couple therapy?
■ Criticism:
– One partner attacks partner’s character,
usually with the intent of making someone
right/wrong
■ Contempt
– Attacks partner’s sense of self with intention
to insult
■ Defensiveness
– Making excuses, “Yes…but…”
■ Stonewalling
– Withdrawing from the relationship as a way to
avoid conflict
What is integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)?
■ Involves negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills
training
– E.g., “I” statement
■ “Integrative” because it involves making changes and accepting
realities about the other person
What is emotion-focused couples therapy (EFCT)?
■ Focus on identifying and expressing primary emotions rather than
secondary emotions
■ This leads to rebuilding attachment bonds
is EFCT or IBCT more effective?
IBCT and EFCT are two of the most commonly used forms of couples
therapy, and they have been shown to be equally effective
What are some good practices in couples counseling?
■ Don’t take side – showing favoritism can compromise your credibility
■ Provide structure
– Don’t let spouses interrupt and talk over each other
– Energetic conversations ≠ learning or change
■ Suggest changes to the couple’s day-to-day relationship
– Insight alone is often not enough
– Empirically-supported forms of couple therapy require active
interventions aimed at teaching couples new way to interact
■ Differ in situation of abuse
■ Have the couple talk to each other, not to you
