As a family counselor three techniques I would use to gather information about individuals and family members of a family are a genogram, lifestyle assessment, and observations. A genogram is a graphic representation of a family tree that displays detailed data on relationships among individual within the family (Dr. Winn handout on genogram). The genogram allows me the family counselor to analyze hereditary patterns, and psychological factors that interrupt the relationships within the family. It will also give insight on various patterns and influences within the family (Dr. Winn handout on genogram). I will be able to gain knowledge of the each member in the family education, occupation, major life events, chronic illnesses, social behavior, …show more content…
The lifestyle assessment is an assessment about an individual’s unique style of living. It is an assessment that collects information about an individual’s family constellation, early recollections, strengths, and dreams (Dr. Winn handout on Adlerian lifestyle questionnaire). The lifestyle assessment will allow me the family counselor to analyze the data and give me an understanding about the family atmosphere how members of the family interact with one and how individuals interpret the interactions and family climate as a child. For example is the individual perception of the family atmosphere hostile and cold or as encouraging and caring. It will also provide information about values within the family, parental and sibling relationships, gender identity and adolescence challenges. The family lifestyle assessment helps me the counselor to understand each individual within the family. It gives me vital information of the family and how each individual perceives the family. It allows me to find commonalities and differences within the family and allows me the ability to key in to common patterns and themes within the family. Lastly, observation is an act of paying close attention to someone by carefully watching and listening to gain information about
Mental health counselors must first assess the family’s problems. Assessment begins with a history of the presenting problem, which includes making notes of exact dates and checking them for their relationship to events in the extended family, becoming aware of the history of the family, including the history of the parents’ courtship, their marriage, and childrearing years (et, al., 2017, p77). The counselor must be aware of where the family has lived, the history of the spouse’s births, sibling positions, and significant parts of their childhood history, and the functionality of their parents, which should be recorded in a genogram covering at least 3 generations (et, al., 2017, p77). The mental health counselor also must always practice confidentiality, and cultural competence in dealing with
A systems based treatment plan is necessary when working with this family and a systemic assessment is needed to accomplish this. “A systemic assessment will typically reveal that marital and/or parenting issues are contributing to the presenting problem” (Gehart, p. 37, 2016). The therapist will start by using a genogram. A genogram was used to analyze the Andersen family, as it is a structured way of collecting information about the family. It allows the therapist to gather details and “identifies not only problematic intergenerational patterns, but also alternate ways for relating and handling problems” (Gehart, 2014, p. 237). A genogram is a visual representation of the family and their history that will display
The Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) is a well-known comprehensive and multidimensional template used by nurses to assess families. CFAM begins by having the nurse visit with the family and gain insight on the family’s functioning at a particular point in time. Interviewing the family allows the nurse to assess and identify potential issues. Furthermore, the CFAM consists of three main assessment categories, known as structural, developmental, and functional. Each of these categories contains several subcategories that allow the nurse to examine all aspects of a family’s functioning. The goal of the CFAM is for the nurse to openly discuss family issues, provide insight to families from an outside perspective and guide them towards their own problem solving tactics. CFAM allows families and nurse to develop a plan of care that is mutually agreed upon. The following paper illustrates a family assessment completed using the CFAM and applies nursing diagnoses and interventions relevant to the family’s current issues (Wright & Leahey, 2013).
The assessments that will be utilized for the Jacques family is observation, input from members of the interdisciplinary team, since the behaviors are not only at home within the family system, utilization of the Structural Family Systems Ratings measure (Kazdin, 1993; 1994). The observation phase should take place in the family home so that they will be as comfortable as possible. This will allow the counselor to observe the family in their own environment and the behaviors that occur when the family is together. The counselor should remain diligent in observing the interactions between all the family members as this could be indicative of their family system’s strengths and negative patterns of behavior (Thomlison, 2010).
Friedman Family Assessment Method is a very helpful tool for assessing a family. It assesses the social, spiritual, physical, and psychological, among other aspects of a family. Analysis of the assessment data using the Friedman model, allow nurses to develop a plan to improve family health and to live a healthy life. The assessment of the Smith’ family was a great experience as it exposes one to different aspects of community health.
A genetic family history assessment contains information about family structure and relationships. A typical nurse will use a three-generation family pedigree to gather the information. By doing so, nurses can be aware of which family members are at risk for disorders from a genetic component. Therefore, they can be provided with lifestyle advice, recommendations, and referrals to appropriate specialists (Kaakinen, Coehlo, Steele, Tabacco & Hanson, 2015). A genetic family history assessment will be provided about my family.
Family history possesses valuable information about a person’s past and future life. It can be used as a powerful screening tool to help conduct decisions about genetic testing for you and family members at risk. Family history can identify potential health problems that an individual has an increased risk for in their lifetime. With early identification, you can begin taking steps to reduce the risk with things such as lifestyle changes of diet and exercise. In many cases, just by adopting a healthier lifestyle can reduce your risk for diseases that run in your family.
Observation is very important in young children because that is how you get to know a child better. While observing how a child interacts with their peers, adults, and how they behave in different settings, you are getting to know the child without speaking to them.
After completing my family genogram, I was able to notice the history of a couple of patterns of fusion in particular. One of the relational patterns that stood out was emotional abuse which for the sake of this assignment I have only traced it back three generations, starting with my paternal grandfather Marciano, who endured the aftermath of the WWII and who conceived out of wedlock (COW) from Spanish and Mestizo parents and who married a woman Fidelina, of Chinese and Indian origin, born in El Salvador like him. Based on anecdotal accounts, Marciano was particularly emotionally abusive towards Rosa, my mother, who is also the first born of the couple and COW. Marciano had very high standards of beauty and intellect, which often triggered name calling, insults, and other forms of humiliation aimed towards my mother, causing her to feel belittled and resent his treatment towards her.
A family assessment is a process for gathering and organizing information in ways that can help a family prevent and or solve problems. The goal is to obtain a full understanding and unbiased view of the strengths and problems. A good assessment is about relationship building, engaging families in an exploration of their strengths, values and goals to build mutual trust and respect. Then when problems do arise, this relationship can be the foundation of open communication allowing the doors to open for identification of additional supports needed to reduce or eliminate the factors causing harm.
Kaakinen, Gedaly-Duff, Coehlo & Hanson, (2010) report family is the biggest resource for managing care of individuals with chronic illness; family members are the main caregivers and provide necessary continuity of care. Therefore, it is important for health care providers to develop models of care based on an understanding what families are going through (Eggenberger, Meiers, Krumwiede, Bliesmer, & Earle, 2011). The family I chose to interview is in the middle of a transition in family dynamics. I used the family as a system approach as well as a structure-function theoretical framework to the effects of the changes in dynamic function. Additionally, the combinations of genogram, ecomap, adaptations of the Friedman Family Assessment model as well as Wright & Leahey’s 15 minute family interview were utilized.
Observation allows researchers to experience a specific aspect of social life and get a firsthand look at a trend, institution or behaviour. It promotes good communication skills, improves decision making and enhances awareness.
The stages of the family life-cycle schema of family development is based on the information drawn from Barnhill and Longo (1978), Becvar and Becvar (1999), Carter and McGoldrick (1980), and of Duvall (1962). It tells us of the stages in the family life cycle and the developmental issues related to each stage. It consists of the following nine stages: Stage 1) Unattached adult; Stage 2) Newly married adults; Stage 3) Childbearing adults; Stage 4) Pre-school age child; Stage 5) School-age child; Stage 6) Teenage child; Stage 7) Launching centre; Stage 8) Middle-aged adults; Stage 9) Retired adults. It is important to note that between each stage there is a transitional period where each family member is required to change. Each member in each life-cycle stage has certain developmental tasks to fulfill for a healthy family structure to
Family health assessment is a process of getting information from the family about health promotion and disease-prevention activities. Family assessment includes nurse’s perceptions about family constitution, norms, standards, theoretical knowledge, and communication abilities. Marjorie Gordon (1987) proposed eleven functional health patterns as a guide for establishing a comprehensive nursing data base. These functional health patterns (2007) help organize basic family assessment information (Friedman et al., 2003) (Edelman & Mandle, 2010, p. 173-177).Eleven health functions are as follows. Health perception and / or health management pattern, nutritional pattern, elimination pattern, activity/exercise pattern, cognitive/perceptual pattern, sleep/rest pattern, self-perception and self-concept pattern, role/relationship pattern, sexuality/reproductive pattern, coping/stress tolerance pattern, and value/belief...
As explained by Loghmani, Borhani, & Abbaszadeh, (2014), to establish the specific health conditions of a given family, a family health assessment is important to be performed. In addition, this procedure gives the nurse and other health care practitioners the ability to identify the health needs of the family. Therefore, through this process the nurse achieves the opportunity to communicate with the family, examine to detect potential risks for any health issues, get opportunities for health education, and provide health. Moreover, for the nurse to effectively succeed in this assessment, the interview needs to be performed effectively, data piled appropriately, and the nurse completes the examination. Guided by the Gordon’s 11 functional health