Introduction
Many would agree that the dynamics of the family structure have changed drastically. Families are faced with many challenges, often times outside intervention is necessary in coping with the plethora of issues families face. We are living in a time of increased racial tensions, stress, bullying, domestic violence, mental illness, same-sex marriage, drug abuse, increased divorce rates, blended families, and cohabitation. The use of Marriage and family therapists appears to be increasing. According to Gladding, (2004), 56.9 million people utilized marriage and family therapists. This paper will discuss the understanding of marriage and family therapists and the family life cycle. In addition the blended family is discussed as it relates to the role of the marriage, and family counselor. An overview of the preventative wellness measures that could apply to preblended families is also reviewed.
Understanding of the family life cycle as it applies to counselors working with couples and families.
My understanding of the family life cycle as it applies to counselors is that it is complex and a direct correlation between the fit of the therapists life stage along with the family (Gladding, 2004). As a therapist and /or counselor, consideration must be given to the life cycle stage of the family as well as the culture of the client(s). Families are systems and different cultures define family in different ways. There are many factors that may have an impact on the
The family system is founded on the notions that for change to occur in the life of an individual, the therapist must understand and work with the family as a whole. In working with the family, the therapist can understand how the individual in counseling functions within his family system and how the client’s behaviors connect to other people in the family. This theory also holds the perception that symptoms are a set of family habits and patterns passed down by generation and not a result of a psychological problem or an inability to change (Corey, 2017). Furthermore, the family system theory holds the idea that when a change occurs everyone in the unit is affected by the change.
The purpose of this paper is to review my professional identity as a Marriage and Family Therapist and to reflect on my developing beliefs within my selection of the counseling profession. My professional identity is beginning to be developed throughout my education with Liberty University. I will address the Marriage and Family Therapist professional counselor role and how this position differs from social workers, clinical psychologists, and professional counselors. By reviewing the differences in counseling positions, I will be able to express the differences from my previous experiences with pastoral counseling, and outline what my
The presentations opened my eyes to how diverse today’s family unit can be and provided me with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the diversity of the family unit in contemporary society. Often people have an image built on assumptions of the ideal family, however families are dynamic and for health professionals it is important to always reevaluate what is considered family and to challenge any assumptions made (Barnes & Rowe 2013). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) found that in Australia, 15.9% of families were one parent families while 44.6% were couple families with children. On the contrary 37.8% were couple families without children. As a result of such diversity in the family unit, family strengths are continually growing and changing. It is important for nurses to be able to understand this in order to successfully undertake a comprehensive family assessment and identify and help develop those identified strengths to increase family resilience and facilitate change in family functioning (Smith & Ford
My first assumption of family therapy was to involve the parents and the individual that had the problem. This book explored further what it
The purpose of this paper is to examine the field of marriage and family counseling beginning with the history and development of the profession and its importance in the field of counseling. This paper will also evaluate five major themes relevant to Marriage and Family Therapy which include: roles of Marriage and Family Therapists; licensure requirements and examinations; methods of supervision; client advocacy; multiculturalism and diversity. The author will discuss significant aspects to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy such as MFT identity, function, and ethics of the profession. This paper will assess biblical values in relation to Marriage and Family Therapists and to the field
It takes very special people to want to make a difference in people’s lives, to want to help them to be better. Some people seek to become counselors after overcoming a most important life challenge. The individuals that seek the profession of marriage and family therapy do not think of this work as a job or career, more typically a constellation of life experiences that demand explanation and a sense that others seek one out for assistance and emotional sustenance become driving forces leading one to counseling profession (An Invitation to Counseling Work).
therapy aims to improve family relations, and the family is encouraged to become a type of
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JAMES D. GIBSON FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CO 5740 INTRODUCTION TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING
Becvar, D. & Becvar R. (2009). Family therapy: a systemic integration. (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
After a thorough review of the textbook and the course material, the specific family system approach that I choose to explore is the Bowenian Approach for this literature review. This specific family system approach is also known as the Bowen Family System Theory as well (D.V. Papero, 2006). The Bowen Family System Theory was established by Murray Bowen, a theorist and psychiatrist who specialized in treating children who were deranged and had schizophrenia (Rockwell, 2010). In the 1950s, Bowen wanted to explore a new venture so he decided that he wanted all of the family members of each child to be involved in an therapeutic process at the same time (Rockwell, 2010).
The Bowen family systems theory can utilize to understand the Gillison’s family dynamics. According to the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family (2016) the Bowen family system theory views family as an emotional unit that utilizes systems thinking to comprehend the complexity of the interactions within the unit. The theory describes families as having a major influence on their member’s thoughts, feelings and actions, which leads them to feel as if they are composed of the same “emotional skin”. The members of families, according to this theory, are driven by each other’s attention, approval, and support. The members therefore, react to each other’s expectations and wants and needs. The family is therefore interdependent. One change in one member’s function leads to a change in the functioning of the others. This is evidence in the case of the Gillison family.
Approaches to Family Therapy: Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, & Whitaker Treating families in therapy can be a complex undertaking for a therapist, as they are dealing not only with a group of individuals but also with an overall system. Throughout history several key theorists have attempted to demystify the challenges families face and construct approaches to treatment. However, there have been key similarities and differences among the theoretical orientations along the way. While some have simply broadened or expanded from existing theories, others have stood in stark
Each family construct their own solution from within the family positive system. The focus from the counselor’s point of view is to assimilate a plan of meaningful
There are several different types of family therapy, all emerging from family systems theory. Family systems theory explores relationships between family members, familial multigenerational behavioural
In the Adlerian approach, the family constellation is important because it looks at the family dynamics and the child’s place within the family context (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). While there are some birth order characteristics that can be helpful to understand, it is more of a generalization, and cannot specifically be applied to every person in a particular birth order (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). According to Henderson and Thompson (2011), some characteristics that can affect the child’s recognition of their role in the family include parents having a favorite child, stepparents living in the home, single-parent homes, and blended families. Therefore, counselors should understand the family dynamics, how the child fits into the family,