All forms of psychotherapy, including marriage and family therapy, have traditionally followed a medical model where the therapist is the expert, who can diagnose and then treat whatever psychological dysfunction is occurring within a family. The treatment of this dysfunction was the area of family therapy that evolved and changed over time, from psychotherapeutic techniques to cognitive and cognitive behavioral techniques (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008), but the underlying assumption remained. The therapist was considered the expert, and the family was presenting with a problem that the therapist could help them solve. As new theories of treatment emerged, several practitioners began to modify the position of the therapist in the therapeutic relationship. Bowen, for example, a transgenerational therapist in the mid-1970's, presented himself as a coach, or researcher, to aid a family in making changes.
[...] Exceptions A social constructionist technique called Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), focuses simply on solving a family's presenting problems, rather than focusing on why the problems have developed. Focusing on solutions instead of problems a therapist using this technique will ask questions attempting to help the family focus on positive behaviors, including exceptions to chronic problem behavior. For example, instead of asking a family to describe a time where a problem was particularly bad, the therapist would ask the family to describe a time when the problem was not an issue. [...]
[...] Multi-family group therapy can be very helpful, as families share narratives and feel comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles (Lemmens, et. al, 2007). While a single family can band together to create new views and ideas, and pool their strengths and resources, multiple families provide more voices, more ideas, more strength, and more resources. presence of several families reshapes all relationships in the group” Lemmens, et al p. 52). The development of culturally instigated dominant narrative can also be studied within groups, as, they be a particularly useful means to gather information about and representations of socially constructed phenomena, including the numerous conceptualizations, challenges, and other constructs affecting family systems” (Puig, Koro-Ljungberg, & Echevarria- Doan p. [...]
[...] To be a family is a divine thing, which can bring happiness and love to all its members throughout their lives. As a therapist, I believe I will encounter many paradigm shifts. I will likely find exceptions to many of my current assumptions about family problems, that are currently based on my family experiences. I may have to restory my own life as I learn from the many voices and perspectives that I am bound to encounter. I welcome the chance, however, to learn from my fellow men, and allow the Holy Ghost to work in me and inspire me to progress and grow as a counselor in order to more effectively and lovingly help and heal those who come to me for help. [...]
[...] Exploring Levinas: The ethical self in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy. 30: 351-361. Lee, L., & Littlejohns, S. (2007). Deconstructing Agnes: externalization in systemic supervision. Journal of Family Therapy. 29: 238-248. Lemmens, G.M.D., Eisler, I., Migerode, L. Heireman, M., & Demyttenaere, K. (2007). Family discussion group therapy for major depression: A brief systemic multi-family group intervention for hospitalized patients and their family members. Journal of Family Therapy. 29:49-68. Lowe, R., Hunt, C., & Simmons, P. Towards multi-positioned live supervision in family therapy: Combining treatment and observation [...]
[...] One language-based technique within social constructionism is called the collaborative language systems approach, which does not involve specific interventions, but rather uses the dialogue between client and therapist as the means of treating a problem. The therapist does not assume an expert role, but a partner in conversation, actively listening, encouraging family members to fully tell their story. The therapist and clients then “engage in a mutual search for altered or new meaning, attitudes, narratives, and behavior” (Goldenberg & Goldenberg p. [...]
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