Symbolic Experiential

Question 1

Primary Contributors

Answer 1

1. Whitikar…
2. Napier
3. Keith
4. Kempler (introduced gestalt therapy like unfinished business)
5. Malone
6. Roberto

Question 2

Role of the Therapist in Symbollic-experiential therapy

Answer 2

1. use of co-therapist (important for therapists and not for family…seen more separate from system)
2. not the expert
3. therapists should become more Like themselves/authenticity/genuineness
4. spontaneous, humor, open to change in moment
5. active not directive
6. client takes responsibility for change
7. MUTUAL GROWTH for client and thp through genuine dialogue 8. co therapist each brings a different element (ex. one is more confronting and the other more nurturing) 9. FOCUS ON STRUCTURE AND EMOTIONAL PROCESS 10. thp cares about parental hierarchy
   Person added.
8. use of co-therapist (important for therapists and not for family…seen more separate from system)
9. not the expert,
10. therapists should become more Like themselves/authenticity/genuineness
11. spontaneous, humor, open to change in moment
12. active not directive
13. client takes responsibility for change
14. MUTUAL GROWTH for client and thp through genuine dialogue
15. co therapist each brings a different element (ex. one is more confronting and the other more nurturing) 9. FOCUS ON STRUCTURE AND EMOTIONAL PROCESS 10. thp cares about parental hierarchy

Question 3

battle for structure

Answer 3

thp will structure sessions, refuse to see clients separately

Question 4

battle for initiative

Answer 4

responsiblity of the client, change determined by teh family

Question 5

expanding distress

Answer 5

increase stress in the room to encourage emotional expression

Question 6

activating constructive anxiety

Answer 6

This is a process of expanding the symptom to the system, that is, expanding the distress to include each member, shifting the nature of anxiety within the family and reducing blame and scapegoating.

Question 7

redefining sxs

Answer 7

Therapist will reframe the symptoms to see it in a more positive light

Question 8

fantasy Alternative

Answer 8

Discussing problematic or stressful situations in fantasy based, “what if” terms or deemphasizing stressful situations by suggesting absurd fantasy alternatives (e.g. maybe if you medicated your husband, he wouldn’t be so emotional).

Question 9

affective confrontation

Answer 9

The therapist’s intentional confrontation with the family where he or she will directly and openly share his or her subjective emotional experience of working with the family

Question 10

co-therapist

Answer 10

two therapists work together as a team, usually a male and female dyad each with different qualities (e.g. one nurturer, one directive)

Question 11

degrees of craziness

Answer 11

thp needs to be mature enough to be immature and use creativity

Question 12

teaming roles

Answer 12

Healthy members of a family may be intentionally paired into teaming roles by the therapist to encourage further healthy behavior by other family members.

Question 13

theapeutic double bind

Answer 13

When asked about a possible diagnosis, Whitaker would initiate a therapeutic double bind—that is, a relational diagnosis that is unlikely to ever change.

Question 14

bilateral pseudo Therapy

Answer 14

where family members try to be therapust towards one another, because family has failed at healing self the responsibility should be turned over to the 2 therapists

Question 15

bilateral transference

Answer 15

the Thp adopts the language accent, rhythm or posture of the family

Question 16

flight toward health

Answer 16

families stop showing up is assumed they made a recovery

Question 17

Person of the Therapist

Answer 17

Symbolic-Experiential Therapy attributes the psychological health and authenticity of the therapist as a person being a primary factor in effective therapeutic outcomes. The therapist is encouraged to be authentic and real with his or her clients, relying on the spontaneity of their emotional responses as they remain present with the family.

Question 18

Existential Encounter

Answer 18

a Symbolic-Experiential stance in which the Therapist is willing both to Receive the family members’ Reactions to him/her And to fully Disclose his/her Reactions to them

Question 19

Individuation

Answer 19

A primary goal in growth-oriented therapies, encouraging each individual family member in becoming more and more of who they are.

Question 20

interactional insight

Answer 20

a Symbolic-Experiential attitude in which the Therapists Do Not Delude Themselves into believing that they are consistent with the families. They accept “this” and realize that it helps undermine the family’s attempt to maintain a rigid pattern of living

Question 21

Goals for treatment in symbolic experiential therapy

Answer 21

1. increase level of stress
   2 develop shared anxiety in family
2. expand relationships with extended family , culture, and community
3. develop family boundaries
4. separate the generations
5. family learns to play
6. develop We/They
7. family must believe in itself as a unit with strong sense of absurdity
8. each member should be allowed to be him/herself, selfactualization

Question 22

alienation

Answer 22

The condition of being Shut Off from one’s true Feelings. This happens to Dysfunctional family members and it makes family intimacy difficult to achieve.

Question 23

As-If Stance

Answer 23

a Symbolic-Experiential stance where family members are encouraged to freely Experiment as if they were In the Role of the Other, so long as they understand that the role play is symbolic

Question 24

Fixation of Triangles

Answer 24

a Symbolic-Experiential term used to describe a Clash of Family of Origin Cultures (i.e., a man from a family of social isolates marries into a family of social activists). The weakest family member is vulnerable to pathology arising out of family mythology.

Question 25

Inconsistency

Answer 25

a Symbolic-Experiential attitude in which the Therapists Do Not Delude Themselves into believing that they are consistent with the families. They accept “this” and realize that it helps undermine the family’s attempt to maintain a rigid pattern of living

Question 26

Spaciation

Answer 26

an Experiential technique having a client System Represent aspects of the family systems and its relationships in physical Space in the session.

Question 27

unfinished business (Kempler)

Answer 27

from Experiential therapy, originally a concept of Gestalt therapist, Fritz Perls, referring to Unresolved Feelings or disowned parts of the self.

Question 28

How is dysfunction viewed

Answer 28

scapegoat provides anxiety relief for the family. Family cannot tolerate interpersonal natural stress. Role rigidity. Lack of tolerance for difference. Symptoms are non-verbal messages in reaction to the dysfunctional communication working in the system

Dysfunctional communicaiton/interactional styles, not dysfunctional person

Question 29

Symbolic Experiential Theory of Change

Answer 29

Family “desperation” is a sign of readiness for change (Whitaker). Immediate shared experience produce new responses, which produce both individual and family growth. Increase the family’s creativity, spontaneity and ability to play.

Question 30

Famiy Interaction

Answer 30

Healthy family interaction in Experiential Therapy is traditionally characterized through flexibility and openness to life experiences.

Question 31

Therapy of the Absurd

Answer 31

Symbolic-Experiential Therapy may be referred to as absurd given its unrecognizable structure, spontaneous process, and therapist transparency.