MFT Theories Flashcards
Key concepts: Anxiety, differentiation* emotional cutoff, emotional process, fusion and cutoffs, triangulation..
Problem: Lack of differentiation leads to dysfunction in the family (can’t separate thoughts and feelings)
Therapist: is neutral, objective, coach, and I position
Methods: process over content, genogram, detriangulation, therapeutic triangles, long term therapy
Bowen Theory
The ability to distinguish between thinking and feelings within self and others
*primary skill in developing ones self and solving problems
Differentiation **
Founder: Ivan Boszormengyi-Nagi
Concepts: destructive entitlement, ledger and transactions, parentification, fairness, loyalty, multidirectional impartiality
Problem: relationships break down when fairness, care, and accountability are absent-eroding and breaking trust between members.
Change: balancing the ledger, deparentification, restoring, trustworthiness, take responsibility
Therapist: active guide, often co-therapy, relational balance
Contextual Theory
Founder: Jill & David Scharff, James Framo
Concepts: based on attachment expectations formed in unresolved family of origin issues; insight based; transference to others and therapist; Freuds process/perspective
Problem: Negative experiences are projected onto others in an attempt to resolve the negative experience.
Change: Individuation, resolution of negative aspects being projected, detachment from “bad” object
Therapist: Non -directive, observing, insight
Object Relations
Founders: Weakland, Don Jackson, Watzlawick
Concepts: communication theory; 1st & 2nd order change; feedback loops; focus on the presenting complaint; repetitive patterns of family interactions
Problem: attempts at solutions become the problem; circular causality; “more of the same” maintains problem
Change: goals are small and clear; altering patterns of behaviors; change in one part, leads to change in others
Therapist: active, process over content, therapist responsible for outcomes, consulting team w/ 1 way mirror*
MRI brief
Founder: Jay Hayley & Cloe Madanes
Concepts: the structure is the problem; flexibility; strategic humanism;
Problem: dysfunctional heirarchy produces maintained failed solutions; failed life cycle transitions; triangulations and coalitions
Change: increase flexibility; new strategies for developmental change, establish proper heirarchy, eliminate triangulation and coalition.
Therapist: active and joins with the family; use language of the family; observe sequence and structure-reframing, enactments..
Strategic
Founder: Mara Palazzoli and others..
Concepts: new epistemology, allows new ways of interacting; positive connotation*; invariant prescription; homeostasis; change beliefs rather than behaviors
Problem: family caught in power game; problems maintained by interactional sequences; homeostasis resists attempts to change; old way of living, doesnt fit the new way
Change: develop new epistemology by delivering new information to the system
Therapist: observing teams; mixed gender dyads; neutrality; hypothesizing; circular questioning
Milan Systemic
Founder: Minuchin
Concepts: family structure; subsystems; boundaries; coalitions, alliances, and triangles; enmeshment*; parentification; structural maps;
Problem: inflexible family structures fail to adapt to developmental challenges; rigid or diffuse boundaries; enmeshed or disengaged relationships
Change: reorganize the family structure; correct hierarchies; clear and flexible boundaries b/w subsystems; get families unstuck from old patterns
Therapist: active; directive; leadership; accomodation; observant of patterns; determine the structure; boundary making; challenging;
Structural
Found: Whittaker and Satir
Concepts: battle for structure and initiative; craziness; intimacy and separateness; family reconstruction; growth through shared experience; human validation model
Problem: poor distress tolerance; intolerance for differences; rigidity; feeling avoidance; scapegoat provides relief from anxiety; triangles/teaming roles
Change: more genuine interactions; interactional insight through shared experiences; increased ability to experience emotion
Therapist: involved and active; self disclosing, responsive, warm and positive; consultant; directive.
Methods: sculpting, parts party, in session interaction
Experiential
Founder: Sue Johnson & Greenberg
Concepts: attachment theory; negative interaction cycle; core conflicts; primary and secondary emotions; dependence/ independence.
Problem: perceived danger and relational insecurity leads to reactive behaviors in a recursive pattern of negative interactions
Change: access primary emotions; change interactional patterns through new experiences; create secure attachments
Therapist: unconditional positive regard
Emotion Focused
Founders: Shazer and Insoo Berg
Concepts: focus on solutions and not problem; co-construction; exceptions; finding when the problem isnt a problem; focus on the future; language creates reality; scaling
Problem: repetitive focus on the problem puts limits on potential solutions; “if there are no symptoms, there aren’t any problems..”
Change: focus on solution behaviors; learn from exceptions
Therapist: directive; lead solution; co-construct new solutions-formulate exceptions; focus on what already works-miracle question
Solution focused
Founder: Michael White
Concepts: problem-saturated stories; emphasis on meaning; re-authoring; externalize the problem; reality is constantly constructed
Problem: dominant stories of the problem subjugate alternate narratives; internalization of the problem; meanings trapped in time.
Change: develop new meanings; finding alternative solutions and narratives; formulating a new story
Therapist: neither direct nor indirect; clients have voice in tx process; establish collaborative atmosphere
Narrative
Founder: Harlene Anderson and Goolishian
Concepts: language creates meaning; problem determined system; problem dissolving; reality/knowledge is socially constructed
Problem: problems are maintained by stories told to oneself; the constructed meaning of the problem prevents new meanings which can dissolve the problem
Change: generate new meanings through new language; new action to resolve.
Therapist: not knowing position; non-expert; honor clients reality; responsive; compassionate; co-exploration
conversational questions; expanding the meaning.
Collaborative
Term by Norbert Weiner
“is to describe systems that are self regulating by means of feedback loops-can be either negative or positive
Cybernetics
theory that states : parts of a system are interrelated and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts– i.e. an individuals behavior is connected to other members behavior and reflects the family system rules
General Systems theory
Who was considered a “hypnotherapist”
Milton Erikson
term that describes: people in continuing relationships develop rule determined, repetitive patterns of interactions..”
behavioral redundancy
term that states: a systemic pretense of harmony and closeness that masks conflict and blocks intimacy- have an unnatural fear of separation
pseudomutuality
term that states: a noisy and intense way of masking and distorting both affection and splits
pseudohostility
this was used in the Milan systemic approach- these engaged the family in behaviors that violated the family rules..
Rituals
used to foster change through paradox by complimenting family members for devising the symptom to maintain homeostasis as well as enjoining the family from changing
postive conotation
terms that states: is a self correcting mechanism by which families attempt to adjust deviations from established patterns and maintain their organizational integrity
Feedback loops
term that states: 2 or more systems or subsystems exhibit similar or parallel structures
therapist experiences a family that rejects for change; therapist then suggestions from a particular subsystem to alter tx approach
Isomorphism
term that states: a systems tendency towards growth, creativity, change, and innovation
similar to amplifying feedback loops
morphogenisis
term that states: how something is said; dynamic aspects that are changing within the system
Process
The primary domain of human systems theory is what?
Communication
This states that a genuine systemic analysis must include an understanding of system components- which are the two aspects of an individuals participation in a system; focus is on what passes among individuals and what goes on within the individuals
ONE CANNOT NOT COMMUNICATE
Decomposition law
term that states: are models by which incoming information is perceived, understood, transformed, and stored together with a corresponding repertoire of behavioral response options
- shape action and communication
- can be expandable and flexible or rigid and limiting
Cognitive maps
term that means: nonverbal communications that includes body language, stance, and preferred physical distance
proxemics
communication that includes: sounds such as whistles, claps, and slaps on the back
streptic communication
communication that includes: touch, tone, pace and inflection (paralinguistic comm.)
Haptic comm
term meaning: people also communicate about their communications-what is the process?
ex: wink or nod - confirms/modifys
meta communication
What 2 theories provided much of the language used to describe families?
The family cannot be understood by its parts, structures, subsystems , or symptoms alone.
Cybernetics and general systems theory
Kurt Lewin developed what theory for group therapy and group dynamics?
Field theory- found that working in groups often produced greater changes in ideas and behavior than resulted from individual discussions
For group therapists, what was an important distinction during observing families?
what the group discussed -the content; and how they discussed, process.
Theory that made significant contributions to the emerging theories and how families and systems work– focused on communication patterns of families with a member dx with schizophrenia- what theory?
MRI
Jay Hayley introduced what? in to MRI?
brief therapy; this is where he used directives or tasks to help the family change their behavior
ex: therapeutic paradoxes
What is the goal of structural therapy?
to correct “dysfunctional heirarchies”
-putting parents in charge of their children and to differentiate between subsystems
Minuchin term: the adjustments at therapist may make to a family..in order to achieve a therapeutic alliance with them
Accommodation
Minuchin term: intervention that supports one family member and interferes with homeostasis
unbalancing
-goal is to get the couple talking about the unexpressed conflicts and pain that drove them a part
The goal of this type of therapy is to help the client become a unified whole by becoming aware of and integrating the various aspects of the self
-these therapist view maladaptive behavior as a “growth disorder” that involves abandonment of the self for the self image
Gestalt Therapy
This person/type of theory viewed mental disorders as being due to adoption of a mistaken style of life; characterized by maladaptive attempts to compensate for feelings of inferiority, lack of social interest, and personal power
Adlerian Theory
primary goal of this theory is to help the client develop a healthy style of life by social interest and belonging
Adlerian theory
What type of therapy is best used for African American clients?
Ecological systemic approach
Type of therapy that assumes that relationship problems result not just from the egregious actions and inactions of partners but also from the EMOTIONAL reactivity from their behaviors- What therapy?
-focus on the emotional context of a couple and strives to achieve acceptance and intimacy between each other
Integrative behavioral couple therapy -IBCT
term: the discharge of uncomfortable feelings in socially acceptable ways-
term by Harry Sullivan
Sublimation
Maslows hierarchy of needs?
Self actualization; need for self esteem, love and belonging; security; physiological needs
what are the theoretical concepts of general systems theory?
rules represent systems repetitive patterns
- wholeness
- feedback is the re-insertion of results of past performance in order to stabilize the system
In general systems theory rules can be?
perscriptive(communication that can/cannot occur) or descriptive
