The process of therapy includes various styles and modes of treatment. These different styles can be utilized during couples, family and individual counseling. There are also different techniques, theories, and approaches that a therapist can use throughout this process. Many therapists may be specialized in one area of counseling. One that is trained in individual therapy only is typically not adequately prepared to do couple’s therapy. It would be beneficial for a therapist to be trained in each of these different areas.
Individual therapy consists of an individual engaging in a self-reflective process on his or her emotions and behaviors. While couples’ therapy involves improving the communication and the therapist offering feedback about the interactions the couple is having, and ways to improve it. Lastly group therapy includes the interaction of the individuals of the group. The emphasis is on helping participants understand the effects that have toward other members, while learning from the feedback they receive the therapist and members of the group.
Family therapy and counseling aims to promote understanding and collaboration among family members in order to solve the problems of one or more individuals. This type of therapy is designed to address specific issues that affect the family dynamic, such as mental health issues or life changes. There are many theories and complementary approaches that can be utilized during family therapy.
Psychodynamic approaches
These degrees will emphasize the practical applications of family therapy principles to diagnose and treat problems in human relationships. These degree programs will use intensive course work, clinical experience with clients and supervision by mentors.
Gladding, S. T. (2010). Family therapy: History, theory, and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.
Family is something that plays a tremendous role in our life. Even though the structure of families has changed over the years, it is important to acknowledge that there many families out there whether they are traditional families, nuclear family, stepfamilies or others which tend to have different types of problems in their families. Therefore, many families attempt to go to family therapy in order for them to obtain help in solving the different types of issues they might have at home. As stated in the book Family Therapy by Michael P. Nichols (2013), “The power of family therapy derives from bringing parents and children together to transform their interaction… What keeps people stuck in their inability to see their own participation in the problems that plague them. With eyes fixed firmly on what recalcitrant others are doing, it’s hard for most people to see the patterns that bind them together. The family therapist’s job is to give them a wake-up call” (2013).
A few of the techniques explains to the client which technique words and what doesn’t in a family setting. In the beginning, it’s more about bringing out concerns more than something that may or may not be taking place in the household. Solution-Focused Therapy also focuses on goals and helpful strategies. The true purpose for this type of therapy is focusing on family strengths. One example of the solution-focused therapy is the formula first session task. This task is an example of showing the family what helps. Also, the counselor is constantly asking questions and doing observations to see how well things go when the family leaves therapy. Another example is the exception question. This is usually the counselor looking at the family and
This paper evaluates the Structural Family Therapy model and its impact on the Emotionally Focused Therapy by Sue Johnson. This paper will discuss the concepts of therapy utilized within the Structural Family Therapy model and how Sue Johnson utilized many of its methods when constructing Emotionally Focused Therapy model. The history of family therapy will be evaluated and the goals of family therapy. Research has proven that due to these clinical practices, families and couples are allowed to evolved issues in which they face into healthy relationships by evaluating patterns in behaviors and past events in their lives. Therapy focuses on the correction of the dysfunctional family as a cohesive unit and does not place focus on the individual. Therefore we find the psychotherapy as a family unit deems to be more effective than previous practices of an isolated session with only the patient and therapist.
Structural Family Therapy can also promote a safe environment for individuals to express concerns or feelings to family members. It can improve communication, develop effective problem-solving methods, explore values, and experiment with new behaviors (Thayer 1982). The role of the clinician is to keep the sessions family focused. The clinician must recognize who the "identified patient" is or the client the family system has
Marriage and family therapists believe that the family patterns may affect an individual’s psychological and physical well being and therefore need to be part of therapy. During a therapy session even if only one person is being interviewed, the therapists focuses on a set of relationships that the person is embedded in. The entire family is involved in solving clients problems regardless of whether the issue in individual or family.
My first assumption of family therapy was to involve the parents and the individual that had the problem. This book explored further what it
Family therapy is a technique that has many alternative approaches to every aspect of treatment which Nichols (2014), states may present a challenge when describing a basic technique. The two models of family therapy in which I feel that I would be most effective and comfortable with would be, experiential family therapy and solution-focused brief therapy. I feel most comfortable with these models because, I adapt to the role of the therapist of both therapies naturally. According to Nichols (2014), when families seek therapy they are stuck in a life-cycle transition, sometimes they are obvious and sometimes they are not obvious. I’ve found that during the first session an excellent question is to ask the client why now so that they can
In conjunction with group therapy, at least one individual session for each patient should be implemented prior to discharge. This occurrence can help move patients toward increasing self-awareness. Individual therapy allows a therapist to focus on the patient’s stressors, barriers, and intended plans after discharge in an intimate setting. Additionally, individual sessions allow for room for the patient to explore past or current concerns in a private setting without feedback in group setting. Some patients are not comfortable in group settings. This can hinder a patients progress because they lack the ability to gain insight and understanding due to the group dynamic.
therapy aims to improve family relations, and the family is encouraged to become a type of
Becvar, D. & Becvar R. (2009). Family therapy: a systemic integration. (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Group counseling not only allows for members to learn from their therapist, it also allows for them to learn from personal experiences of other members and to gain insights and ideas on the issues they are confronting. Group counseling also helps in improving social skills among the members as they are able to interact freely in and out of the group. This way members can be more confident and open to interactions during the sessions. Group therapy influences growth and change to those involved. Also, it increases their self-awareness and enables them to gain sustenance from each other. Group counseling is also favorable to the therapist as they are able to gain faster and more efficient results for their members by counseling them simultaneously rather than one at a time. Jacobs, Mason, Harvill and Schimmel (2012) describe group counseling
These exchange of feelings through feedback from the other family members help gain an understanding and support that each family members must truly have for one another. Therapist in family therapy also give family members an opportunity to reciprocate help, to offer other empathy, warmth, acceptance, support and genuineness. As a result, family members will feel an increase sense of his or her own self-worth.
This essay is intended to evaluate one therapeutic intervention or theory that may be used in Family therapy. The theory being examined is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or for short CBT. The essay will begin with defining CBT and discussing the underlying principles, techniques and concepts of the approach. Some practical examples and scenarios of utilizing CBT will then be explored. Then the essay will proceed to a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of this therapeutic intervention. Finally a conclusion regarding employing such techniques will be made.