Vocabulary Terms

Question 1

A learning process

Answer 1

Milan systemic

Milan family therapists viewed the use at of interventions as nothing more thank a learning process in which the therapist tests hypotheses and interventions through trial and error as they learn about the family.

Question 2

A system

Answer 2

Cybernetics

A unit bounded by a set of interrelated elements and which exhibits coherent behaviors.

Question 3

Activating constructive anxiety

Answer 3

Symbolic-experiential

A symbolic experiential therapist’s effort to reframe symptoms as efforts toward building competence by focusing on the positive attributes of anxiety as a means toward self growth.

Question 4

Affective confrontation

Answer 4

Symbolic-experiential

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 5

Affective intensity

Answer 5

Structural

Increasing the emotional intensity of the system to encourage structural change.

Question 6

Aligning with parental generation

Answer 6

Strategic and structural

A technique directed at strengthening the parental hierarchy and reinforcing that parents are in charge of the children. The therapist will break neutrality and intentionally align with the parental subsystem.

Question 7

Amplifying or positive feedback loops

Answer 7

Cybernetics

These increase change in a family’s homeostasis (morphogenesis). They attempt to change these systems from its steady state to a new steady state or balance.

Question 8

Analogical message

Answer 8

Milan systemic

A metaphorical or symbolic message (process)

Question 9

Analogic communication

Answer 9

Communications theory

Has little structure, but is rich in content such as a child’s kinetic family drawing.

Question 10

Attachment

Answer 10

EFT

The individual’s basic need for trust and security, significantly influenced and developed throughout infancy and early childhood per the child’s relation to his or her primary caregiver. Attachment in early childhood influences relationship styles through adulthood.

Question 11

Attentuating or negative feedback loops

Answer 11

Cybernetics

These reduce change in an existing homeostasis.

Question 12

Battle for initiative

Answer 12

Symbolic-experiential

After the therapist wins the battle for structure, the family must win the battle for initiative. That is, realize and demonstrate that they are responsible for change, not he therapist.

Question 13

Battle for structure

Answer 13

Symbolic-experiential

Whitaker stated that the therapist must first win the battle for structure if therapy is to be effective - this entails determining who attends the session, what time sessions are, how frequently sessions occur, and for how long. If the family is not willing to meet these expectations set by the therapist, then they are not prepared to invest in the growth process and change would be unlikely.

Question 14

Beginner’s mind

Answer 14

Solution focused

This concept refers to the therapist’s stance in Solution-Focused therapy. It is important that the therapist maintains an open mind which lends itself to possibilities, while being careful not to exert expertise which limits possibilities.

Question 15

Bilateral pseudo-therapy

Answer 15

Symbolic-experiential

Occurs when family members attempt to play therapist to one another-this is avoided.

Question 16

Bilateral transference

Answer 16

Symbolic-experiential

A therapist’s intentional maneuver to adapt to the language, accent, rhythm, or posture of the family.

Question 17

Blamers

Answer 17

Satir

One of Satir’s four dysfunctional communication styles. Often disagree with others and hold others responsible for things not going their way. Blamers often feel insecure and powerless, and feel that they must go to extreme measures- verbal and/or physical aggression- for anyone to really listen to them. Here, the self and the context are acknowledged, while the other is not.

Question 18

Body, mind, and feelings

Answer 18

Satir

Satur’s belief that the mind, body, and feelings interact and influence communication processes at both the verbal and nonverbal level.

Question 19

Bonding

Answer 19

EFT

Attachment theory’s term for the process in which individuals form a connection in a relationship that satisfies the primary need for attachment.

Question 20

Boundaries

Structural

Answer 20

Structural

Individuals, subsystems, and families are separated from one another by boundaries. A boundary is a hypothetical line of demarcation that serves to protect a family and its subsystems.

Question 21

Boundaries

Cybernetics

Answer 21

Cybernetics

These are theoretical lines of demarcation in a family that define a system as an entity and separate the subsystems from one another and the system from its environment.

Question 22

Boundary interface

Answer 22

Cybernetics

Regions between each subsystem of the family and between the family and the suprasystem

Question 23

Boundary making

Answer 23

Structural

An intervention in which therapist’s reinforce appropriate boundaries and diffuse inappropriate boundaries by adapting the interactional patterns of the family’s structure.

Question 24

Bridge maneuver

Answer 24

Sex therapy

This intervention calls for the manual stimulation of the female in an effort to produce orgasm. This would gradually decrease as treatment progresses as partners begin to fill that role.

Question 25

Case research (case studies)

Answer 25

Research methods and techniques

An in depth investigation of a problem in one or more real-life settings over an extended period of time

Question 26

Centrifugal

Answer 26

Assessment

A measure on The Timberlawn Model suggesting that family members look to get their needs met outside of the family system.

Question 27

Centripetal

Answer 27

Assessment

A measure on The Timberlawn Model suggesting that family members look to get their needs met within the family system.

Question 28

Challenging family assumptions

Answer 28

Structural

Offers the family alternative perspectives and views on how they interact with one another.

Question 29

Challenging the symptom

Answer 29

Structural

Offers the family alternative ways of perceiving the role of the symptom in relation to the family’s structure.

Question 30

Change is constant

Answer 30

Solution-focused

Solution-focused therapies view that change is inevitable and constant, that the client’s situation is always in flux although these changes often go overlooked.

Question 31

Circular causality

Answer 31

Cybernetics

In determining the origins of problems, general systems theory departs radically from traditional, linear causality. This is different than linear causality and acknowledges that what two things do, say, or feel mutually influence one another in a recursive, circular relationship.

Question 32

Circular questioning

Answer 32

Milan

The therapist asks one family member to comment on the interactions of two other family members to create circularity within the system and help the therapist build a more elaborate hypothesis.

Question 33

The circumplex model

Answer 33

Assessment

An objective assessment tool measuring levels of cohesion, flexibility, and communication within family systems.

Question 34

Clear boundary

Answer 34

Structural

A clear boundary between the parental subsystem and the children establishes the parents in leadership positions. It allows the parents and children to interact, but supports the couple in a separate relationship, with time to enjoy the mature activities of recreation and pleasure. Healthy families have clear generational, hierarchical boundaries that allow parents to maintain parental roles and children to maintain child roles.

Question 35

Clients as consultants

Answer 35

Narrative

In narrative therapy, after clients have discharged, the therapist would welcome them back to serve as consultants on current cases. This would reinforce their growth and maintain the collaborative stance of the therapist.

Question 36

Closed systems

Answer 36

Cybernetics

Are more isolated and resistant to interactions with the environment.

Question 37

Co-therapist

Answer 37

Symbolic-experiential

Whitaker would always work with a co-therapist, as he believed this allowed him to be more crazy in session as he could rely on his co-therapist to ground him. In symbolic-experiential therapy, the co-therapy team was used as a therapeutic tool.

Question 38

Coaching

Answer 38

Bowen

Bowen used this term to identify what he believed his role to be with clients as he coached them through the process of differentiation of self. He used the metaphor of “coach” to exemplify that he is responsible for getting the process started, but that the actual work must be done by the client.

Question 39

Coalitions

Answer 39

Structural

When two family members join to create a coalition against one or several other family members.

Question 40

Coital alignment technique (CAT)

Answer 40

Sex therapy

An intervention used to increase mutual stimulation through full body contact (male learns to position and maneuver on top of the woman)

Question 41

Collaborative case notes

Answer 41

Narrative

In narrative therapy, the therapist may write case notes collaboratively with the client towards the end of each session to ensure that he or she was correctly capturing the essence of the client’s experience of the session.

Question 42

Communication

Satir

Answer 42

Satir

In Satir’s approach, all forms of behavior are considered communication and need to be tended to by the individual communicating as well as the therapist

Question 43

Complainant

Answer 43

Solution focused

One of the three types of clients in solution focused therapy. Complainants are willing to acknowledge that there is a problem, but unwilling to acknowledge their role in it and instead keep focus on others

Question 44

Complementarity

Answer 44

Structural

A balanced relationship between two individuals that often results in effective teamwork. The relationship may not be symmetrical but it is balanced

Question 45

Complementary relationships

Answer 45

Communications theory and MRI systemic approach

Based on differences that fit together

Question 46

Compliments

Answer 46

Solution focused

Solution focused therapist’s will intentionally and consistently compliment and reflect upon client’s efforts, strengths, and improvements throughout the entire discourse of therapy.

Question 47

Computers

Answer 47

One of Satir’s four dysfunctional communication styles. Computers are often overly rational, level headed, analytical, and speak in a matter-of-fact manner. Computers often fear the vulnerability associated with expressing their true feelings. Here, the context is acknowledged, but the self and other are not.

Question 48

Conflict management

Answer 48

Structural

The family’s capacity to resolve conflict and negotiate effective and balanced solutions.

Question 49

Constitutional self

Answer 49

Narrative

The concept that the self is fluid, constantly constructed and deconstructed through interaction with others and the environment.

Question 50

Construct

Answer 50

Research methods and techniques

An abstract concept that is specifically chosen (or created) to explain a given phenomenon.

Question 51

Construct validity

Answer 51

Research methods and techniques

Examines how well a given measurement scale is measuring the theoretical construct that it is expected to measure.

Question 52

Contextual

Answer 52

Contextual family therapy

Contextual refers to the systemic impact of all that are impacted by the therapeutic effort. Also refers to the social and political context within the family.

Question 53

Counterparadox

Answer 53

Milan systemic

An intervention used to unravel a family’s double bind message by referring to their dysfunction as legitimate and necessary, and as so, instructing the family not to change.

Question 54

Countertransference

Answer 54

Object relations theory

The therapists tendency to attribute qualities that reflect unresolved grievances from a previous relationship on to a client.

Question 55

Craziness

Answer 55

Symbolic-experiential

Falls into three categories of being driven crazy, going crazy, or acting crazy. Different orientations of craziness as exhibited in dysfunctional families.

Question 56

Customer

Answer 56

Solution focused

One of three types of clients in solution focused therapy. Customers acknowledge that there is a problem, are willing to accept their role in it, and are engaged in putting forth effort toward change.