Strategic family therapy By and large, the most frequently used forms of family therapy and methods are used specifically among family members. These methods are practical, systemic, intergenerational, and well-planned. The goal of the strategic family therapy is to help the family change the way they function through observation (Haley, 2010) then crate a unique action plan approach to help deal with it. The strategic family therapy method is “not a particular approach or theory, but the name of the types of therapy where the therapist takes responsibility for directly influencing people” (para 1). The strategic family therapy approach is based off Milton Erikson ideas. Milton believed that individual increase their own understanding …show more content…
After that, the counselor must identify the situation of the problem and the way the family perceives the problem, for example, are the children more concerned about the family issues than the parents (Horne, 2000). Structural family therapy is both relational and observational approaches, this approach works with the family systematically. And, through the structural family therapy approach, family members are a whole system, which is largely affected by other family member as well as the environment in which they live. With this, the therapy emphasis restructuralization of the family normal destructive habits and help them improve their ability to handle every day stress and disagreement and try to help them transform …show more content…
Briefly, the strategic family treatment approach has many treatment methods such as helping families solve any unresolved problem, set achievable goals, set up interventions, observe the results and the responses, mutually (Colorado Technical University, 2017). The strategic family therapy approach is also used to by integrating 2 key therapeutic concepts such as strategic therapy and family therapy, both therapies approaches help to effectively bring about or improve a family precise problem area. Strategic family therapy is a “get to the point/problem” approach. It used to find problem areas and fix them. This method does not focus on who, what, when or how the problem came about, instead it focus more on how problems can be resolved
Structural therapy focuses on the family as a whole. It is concerned about how the issues effect the family relationships and connections. This theory concentrates on how well the understanding is amongst the family members and counselor. The members of the family are prompted to understand how the issues were created, where did the issues come from, when the issues started effecting their family, and what the family needs to overcome their issues. Its focus is to help others understand and improve negative behavior. The structural therapy concentrates on the interaction and boundaries of families with separating the whole family into smaller groups. The subsystems will create a clearer understanding of what issues are hurting their family environment (Gladding, S. T. 2010). The counselor is concerned about the members interaction because this reveals how strong the relationships and connections are in the home. The boundaries are important because they create an understanding that there are limits and order, and the boundaries can be diffused, rigid, or clear (Gladding, S. T. 2010). The counselor is expected to identify techniques so members can understand which boundaries are clear, positive, and healthy (Gladding, S. T. 2010).
Miguel and Rosa have agreed to address the following issues during their treatment. First, they will develop appropriate strategies for managing anger. Second, increase their understanding of ADD and parenting techniques. Third, expand the current support network of their family. We will begin their process by implementing the Brief Strategic Family Therapy model. This therapy allows the family to address their issues collectively and individually. With this approach Miguel and Rosa will address their maladaptive behavior, by developing good communication skills and by helping them to define the family strengths. This therapy will also address Christopher’s aggressive and antisocial behavior, by coaching him in a new behavior. This style therapy along with couple’s therapy and support groups will provide Miguel and Rosa with the tools needed to promote health communication in their relationship, also with how to communicate with their
Fred, Wilma, and Rose present an interesting perspective when looking at their family through a Structural Family Systems Theory. When trying to work with the family a social worker will utilize Functional Family Therapy in order to understand their structure and maybe ameliorate some of the family’s problems. Using Rose and her family as the clients it will be able explain what interventions we can use when we learn the constructs of the theory.
...n all family members get involved in trying to help. By the individual’s family being apart of their therapy session, it shows how much their family members care for them and want them to get help with whatever issues they may be having. This is very important because it is a sign of love and it is showing the support that they have for one another. Therapist have also found that during strategic family therapy, they can help all family members with helping to encourage each other as well as create rules and interactions that are psychological healthy for all family members who are involved. It will make it easier for the family members to all get along and understand each other. When one person in the family is having issues, the other members should take the time to talk to one another and help each other out, especially the family member who is in need of help.
Articulating Your Initial Personal Model of Therapy The model that I have chosen for this signature assignment is the strategic therapy (MRI) model, which have many similarities with the MRI systemic therapy approach model such as both model are brief therapy approaches as well as both being submerge in general and cybernetic theories . One of the major differences between the two similar models is the conceptualization technique. The strategic is based in systems theory principles through hypothesizing metaphorical nature of the problem and creating goal-setting and task-setting to establish a process for positive intervention.
Structural Family Therapy offers a framework that provides order and meaning within the family connections (Nichols, 2013). Divorce for a family is considered a significant transition for all parties involved. When counseling a family going through divorce the structural family therapist’s job is to build an alliance with the family and obtain information about the structure. The structure of the family consists of the roles, interactions, organization, and hierarchy. Family therapy yields the belief that changing the organization of the family leads to change in the individual members. The structural family therapist often will try to become part of the family to gain a perspective of their issues as whole so not to place the focus on one individual. Joining is an empathetic approach in helping families explain and break down their individual stories without uncomfortable challenge or unnecessary confrontation (Nichols, 2013). It is important to note that family dysfunction that often leads to divorce is not attributed to one individual, but the entire family system. In structural family therapy, part of dealing with the issue of divorce in the family is to focus on the interactions between all the family members both positive and negative. Through these interactions the therapist can discover where the conflicts arise, which will in turn help the therapist understand how these negative interaction affect the family. Family therapy in these cases allows for repair of long-standing interactional patterns in which divorce is just one of a series of ongoing transactions that are disruptive to the child’s development (Kaplan, 1977, p.75). The structural family therapist often has the family play out these family interactions via enactments so that he can get a firsthand look at maladaptive patterns, roles, and
In the article “Solution-focused family therapy with three aggressive and oppositional-acting children: an N=1 empirical study” researchers examined the efficiency of Solution Focused Family Therapy (SFFT) among families with children dealing with aggressive and oppositional behaviors. Four to Five intervention sessions took place using a multiple baseline line design, which included a treatment manual, validated and integrity measure. All three cases benefited from the SFFT, only one family requested additional therapy due to a new occurring problem. Overall results showed that this specific therapy was effective with the families at the end of their treatment and follow up.
The experiential family therapy is very much a product of the existential–humanistic tradition. Whitaker defines the healthy family as “a three to four generational whole that is longitudinally integrated - maintaining a separation of the generations”. However, Whitaker looked to spontaneity as a marker of healthy communication in families. The healthy family allows each member to admit to problems and to identify competencies. The therapists insisted that the entire Brice family be present in therapy. The symbolic-experiential treatment model considered it crucial to begin the treatment process with the entire family. Whitaker, C. A. (1982) has emphasized that "Our demand to have the whole family in is the beginning of our 'battle for structure.' It begins with the first phone call"(p. 204). In the early part of treatment, the co-therapists battle for structure and they were directive. They used silence, confrontation and other anxiety-building techniques to unbalance the system. They acted as catalysts, which picked up on the unspoken and discovered the undercurrents represented by the family's typical communication patterns. In the mid-phase, the therapist functioned as stress activators, growth expanders, and creativity stimulators. In addition, Self-disclosure, creative play, teaching stories, spontaneous interpersonal messages, the use of metaphor, and the sharing of parts of the therapists' lives that reflect a working through in their own living are used generously. As therapy proceeded, the therapists took increasingly smaller roles, as they sat back and watched, respecting the independent functioning of the
Structural Family therapy focus is to reform the family so that there are limits between parents and progenies, while the parents are reassuring of each other and their children. In achieving this the therapist has observed firsthand
My theoretical approach to family therapy is very integrative as I believe families cannot be described nor treated from a single-school approach. I view humans through a humanistic and existential lens but am more technically structural and solution-based. With this integrative approach, I believe I will be the most effective in helping families grow and reach their goals.
Goldenberg, H. & Goldenberg, I. (2013). Family therapy: An overview (8th ed.). Belmont CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Solution-focused therapy is a relative new therapy and according to Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2013) therapists are more concerned with change, rather than looking at why the family has developed a problem. This is done to discourage families from thinking about why a particular issue occurred according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg (2013). Solution-focused therapist listens to the language used by families as they describe their situation and the conflict resolution they expect to accomplished, according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg, (2013). Solution -focused therapy ask, “How can we work together to help you change your situation?” instead of “problem talk”, Tell me what problems brought you to see me,” according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg
Nichols, M. P. (2010). Family therapy concepts and methods (9 ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Understanding the components of building an effective helping relationship is fundamental. The therapeutic alliance evolves from an effective helping relationship. In family therapy the alliance, exist among the individuals, subgroups, and whole family. It is imperative for the family and clinician to have a positive relationship in order progress towards resolution of the presenting problem. In the alliance, the clinician and family work as a team. The alliance can have an impact on the outcome of therapy. Positive alliances increase the likelihood of resolution and positive outcome in therapy. A negative alliance will yield a less than expectable outcome. The therapeutic alliance hinges on the bond that is created between the client and clinician. Having a positive therapeutic alliance and solid theoretical rationale a family therapist can join hands with his or her client(s) and together can achieve goals.
In our society families are the foundation of all human relationships. Therefore learning to maintain and develop healthy families are the goals of family therapist. Counselors can use the Structural Family Therapy approach in counseling hurting families. The pioneer of structural family therapy is Salvador Minuchin (Hammond & Nichols, 2014).