Instructor's Manual D. Robert Casares, Jr., Wake Forest University
Couples and Family Therapy: A Case Approach 1st Edition
Nancy L. Murdock University of Missouri–Kansas City
Table of Contents CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1
CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC FAMILY THERAPY
3
CHAPTER THREE: STRUCTURAL FAMILY THERAPY
6
CHAPTER FOUR: EXPERIENTIAL FAMILY THERAPY
9
CHAPTER FIVE: BOWEN FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY
13
CHAPTER SIX: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY
17
CHAPTER SEVEN: SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY
21
CHAPTER EIGHT: NARRATIVE THERAPY
25
CHAPTER NINE: EMOTION-FOCUSED THERAPY
28
CHAPTER TEN: THE GOTTMAN APPROACH
31
CHAPTER ELEVEN: CONCLUSION
34
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Chapter 1: Introduction
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER OUTLINE What is family? “The family is a social system that supports survival and welfare of its members.” However, what constitutes a family is varied, complicated, and expansive Counselors should approach couples and family counseling with respectful curiosity and an awareness of personal biases What is couple and family therapy? Why do I use the term couple? In couple and family counseling, the relationship—rather than an individual—is the client A Brief History Family therapy began in the 1940s and 1950s British anthropologist Gregory Bateson introduced systems thinking and cybernetics to the profession of CFT The Palo Alto Group eventually established the Mental Research Institute, which explored and advanced early theory in CFT Notable early CFT figures included Jay Haley, Don Jackson, John Weakland, John Fry, Virginia Satir, Murray Bowen, and Salvador Minuchin 1970–1985: Strategic, Structural, Bowen, and Experiential theories were developed 1980s and 1990s: Increased emphasis on social constructivism and cultural diversity Basic Systemic Constructs The family is a system The family is interconnected—each part affects other parts of the system Systems therapists are more interested in the process (how things happen in a family) than the content (the what) of the happenings There are too many theories! Review major theories before selecting one It is valuable to learn about and practice a single theory during early efforts to become a CFT Key considerations for selecting a theory: research support and how a particular theory fits with your assumptions about world and style of relating to others Research Research indicates that CFT approaches produce desired client change 1 .
Chapter 1: Introduction
Types of research: outcome research and theory testing research Choosing a Theory Avoid trying to be integrative early in your career The Theories I Chose The CFT approaches presented represent traditional, postmodern/constructivist, and couples-focused theories Conclusion—A Word About My Case-Based Approach Each chapter starts with a case After each construct, principle, or technique associated with a theory is introduced, it is applied to the chapter’s case
2 .
Chapter 2: Strategic Family Therapy
CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC FAMILY THERAPY CHAPTER OUTLINE Overview and Background Evolved from the work of early systems theorists, primarily the Palo Alto Group at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) MRI researchers: Gregory Bateson, Jay Haley, Don Jackson, and John Weakland Famously described the concept of double-bind communication Basic Philosophy Goal: Solving the problem as quickly as possible Therapy focuses on the present and emphasizes action over insight Central Constructs Communication Interested in repetitive sequences of interaction that are seen in families and dyads Symptoms are viewed as attempted solutions to problems, although not satisfactory ones Two levels of communication: report (or content) and command (or relationship) aspects Hierarchies Families, like any organization, involve power Those at the top of the family are in charge and those lower in the hierarchy must obey Hierarchies are only to be changed when necessary to change symptoms Typical task for strategic therapists is to get parents back in charge Theory of Development Important life stages for strategic therapists: courting period, early marriage, childbirth and dealing with the young, middle marriage, weaning parents from children, and retirement and old age Health and Dysfunction Dysfunction is rigid, repetitive interactive behavior Problematic hierarchies produce symptoms 3 .