History and Background The history of family therapy began around 1960, when Gregory Bateson coined the term, “system thinking.” This type of therapy was a daring departure, both technically and philosophically, from traditional and individual treatment during the 1960s. Gregory Bateson was inspired. He felt that the unit known, as “the family” needed to be celebrated and that is exactly what he did” (Family Therapy, 2010, Para 1) Along with Gregory Bateson, are a list of several others who contributed to the evolution of Marriage and family counseling. This list includes the founder of social work, Mary Richmond, Mr. W. James, who researched the organic expression of social systems intervention and Mr. J. Dewey. Each of these therapists considered family therapy to be, among other things, a “consequence of the development of persistent elements of American professional culture, experience, and philosophy’’ (Family therapy, 2010, Para 2). It is said that the family therapy has a “historical- anthropological viewpoint’’. Moreover, these mentioned have greatly contributed to the overall development that makes up this wonderful field known as family, marriage and counseling or therapy. Marriage and Family counseling does have its relevance to the field of counseling as well as a unique distinction as it relates to Christian identity, function and ethics. What are Family Counseling and its relevance? It is important to understand what Marriage and Family counseling entail’s so that there will be an understanding of its true relevance. The union of Marriage is understood to be one of the most sacred institutions God has put in place with the family unit falling next in line as it is the foundation of society and the buil... ... middle of paper ... ...d returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’’ (The Online Bible, 2010) As a counselor, I will with the help of the Holy Spirit, walk this passage of scripture out in my daily profession. I am reminded of a quote given by one of my instructors. She stated, as a professional I bring my expertise but a Christian I come on my knees. I am nothing more than a servant in the field of counseling.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gregory bateson coined the term "system thinking" in 1960. he felt that the unit known as "the family" needed to be celebrated and that is exactly what he did.
- Explains that marriage is one of the most sacred institutions god has put in place with the family unit falling next in line as it is the foundation of society and building blocks needed for a healthy society.
- Explains that satan hates the institution of marriage and the family because of all it represents in the eyes of god. he works tirelessly to bring division amongst marriages and families.
- Explains that the family unit as a whole is suffering due to marital strife, spiritual and emotional issues taking place in the home.
- Explains that according to leo gozich, 50 percent of all marriages are ending in divorce. this is true to worldly and christian marriage.
- Opines that there is a major need for marriage counseling and intervention.
- Explains that marriage counseling helps couples understand and resolve conflicts and improves their relationship.
- Explains that family counseling is similar to marriage counseling, but with a separate component. through family therapy, families learn better ways to interact with each other and resolve conflicts.
- Explains how family counseling helps children deal with anger, communication, and coping issues stemming from family issues.
- Explains that christian marriage and family counseling can also be done from a christian perspective, using the bible and christian principles to bring healing to marriages and families.
- Explains that jesus christ is the pre-eminent model for christian counseling practice, ethics, and caregiving activities.
- Explains that christian counselors are privileged to abide by seven christian foundations in their practice, which distinguish the christian counseling profession from all other counseling approaches.
- Describes the ethical codes listed by the american code of christian ethics that counselors have an ethical duty to adhere to.
- Explains that christian counselors are christ representatives in their profession. they are responsible to walk in integrity and in the character of christ always.
- Opines that christian counselors should not force their beliefs on their clients, nor use the word to manipulate them. they should allow the holy spirit to convict them as he is the cultivator of man's heart.
- Opines that as a christian counselor, it would be their goal, duty, and privilege to abide by ethical guidelines and standards.
- Narrates how jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the father. judas, the son of simon iscariot, betrayed jesus.
- Opines that jesus replied, “you do not realize now what i am doing, but later you will understand.”
- Analyzes how jesus answered peter's question, "unless i wash you, you have no part with me." he knew who was going to betray him, so he said not everyone was clean.
- Opines that as a counselor, they will walk this passage of scripture out with the help of the holy spirit in their daily profession.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- Family Therapyanalytical essayIn family therapy sessions, therapists encounter unique dilemmas when only one partner enters into therapy because only one viewpoint of the problem is provided (American Psychological Association, 2002). This is what presents itself for us today. A husband has asked for help in protecting himself and his children from his wife’s outbursts. His family consists of his wife of 11 years, Angelina; his son, John, age nine; and his delicate daughter, Jackie, age seven. Since this client is reserved and uncomfortable within the therapy session as demonstrated by his folded arms and leaning back in his chair away from the therapist, the therapist will begin by using client-centered, therapy-based questions (Rogers, 1946). Post-modern family therapy will incorporate various styles of therapy depending on what a therapist determines is most helpful at any one point during the therapy process (Nichols, 2008). Combining client-centered and experiential therapies would be a logical pairing in this situation (Elliott & Freire, 2007). We will examine the initial interview.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that therapists encounter unique dilemmas when only one partner enters therapy because only a viewpoint of the problem is provided. a husband asks for help in protecting himself and his children from his wife's outbursts.
- Analyzes how the therapist introduces and gathers information about problems, family structure, interests, and job responsibilities to ease the client into the therapy process.
- Analyzes how the client reveals his priorities, values, and attitude to the therapist in the first six minutes of the therapy session.
- Analyzes how the therapist does not delve further into what may be the root causes of the wife's emotions. the husband doesn't define the abuse he endures from his wife.
- Analyzes how the husband refers to his wife as a "control freak" and how he defines his own attitude and style of interaction with his family.
- Analyzes how the husband indicated he has a support system when describing his family and his friend referring him to therapy. how much interaction does angelina and her children have with his parents and siblings?
- Explains that the therapist will need to learn what changes john and his family are ready to make to provide a better future for their family.
- Argues that a therapist should remain transparent; they should not give indications of any preconceived opinions of the clients or their situation. rogers indicated that it is important to learn the client's perspective on various family issues.
- Opines that therapists should not restrict themselves to the teachings or guidelines of any one school of thought, but be willing to combine them whenever in the best interest of their client.
- Explains the american psychological association's ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
- Explains that aipc presents: counseling therapies: session 1: person centered therapy.
- Explains elliott, freire, and rogers in psychotherapy: theory, research, practice, training, 44, 285–288.
- Cites gurman, a. s., and fraenkel, p. the history of couple therapy: a millennial review. family process, 41, 199-260.
- Explains iveson, c. (2002). solution-focused brief therapy. advances in psychiatric treatment, 8, 149-157.
- Explains mahrer, a. r. (2007). introduction to a mythical family: how to do experiential psychotherapy.
- Explains nichols, m. p., family therapy: concepts and methods, boston: allyn & bacon.
- Cites rogers, c. r., "significant aspects of client-centered therapy", american psychologist, 1, 415-422.
1719 wordsRead More - Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosaexplanatory essayWhite, Mark B. (1997). How Good is Family Therapy? A Reassessment. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 23: 93-94.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that anorexics weigh less than 85% of their ideal body weight. anorexia affects all aspects of an affected person's life including emotional health, physical health and relationships with others.
- Explains that the first step in the treatment of anorexia is to aid the client in adapting a more standardized eating pattern.
- Explains that family therapy is highly effective and necessary in most cases, especially when the patient is still living at home. anorexia creates high emotional stress that echoes among all family members.
- Opines that cbt is the most effective form of treatment for anorexia, stating that if the patient can alter his/her thoughts permanently, true changes in cognitions could take place.
- Explains that anorexics are categorized into restricting and binge-eating/purging types. the evaluation of an affected person should be multidimensional and comprehensive.
- Explains that the most common form of outpatient individual therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), which focuses on the thoughts that envelop food and eating and challenges the dysfunctional beliefs of the anorexic.
- Explains the importance of providing informational answers to questions regarding weight, calorie intake, and changing health status. they also explain how to recognize and focus upon negative thoughts and other emotions related to the distorted beliefs and fixations associated with the disorder.
- Explains that herpertz-dahlmann, wewetzer, hennighausen, k., and remschmidt, h. (1996). personality correlates of anorexic symptomatology in female undergraduates.
1448 wordsRead More - The Work of a Family and Marriage Therapistexplanatory essayFamily and Marriage therapists identify a wide variety of mental and behavioral issues within a family, individuals, and marriages. (HealthcareColleges.net, 2011) These therapists enable society to tackle their problems and move forward in a positive direction. Family and Marriage therapists are responsible for gathering information by testing and observing their patients. (mymajors.com, 2011) After receiving this information they are required to document and record information gathered from the patient sessions. (mymajors.com, 2011) Therapists should encourage individuals to use skills or strategies when faced with a problem and need to maintain an updated knowledge as new information develops. (mymajors.com, 2011) Some family and marriage therapists keep their files and notes organized by using computers. (mymajors.com, 2011)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that family and marriage therapists identify a wide variety of mental and behavioral issues within families and individuals, and enable society to tackle their problems.
- States that the most common majors to study in college that will prepare students for a career in family and marriage therapy include psychology, human development and family studies, and social work.
- Summarizes deroma, hickey, and stanek's report on methods of supervision in marriage and family therapist training.
- Cites the u.s. bureau of labor statistics. occupational employment and wages, may 2010.
- Explains that employment for family and marriage therapists is expected to increase by fourteen to nineteen percent by 2018.
- Explains net industries' marriage and family counselor job description, salary, employment, education and training requirements, getting the job. professional examination service, inc.
1325 wordsRead More - What Happened to Ward and June Cleaveranalytical essayDaw, Jennifer. “Saving Marriages: How to do it?” American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. 16 June 2005. 16 June 2005
In this essay, the author
- Explains daw, jennifer, and the american association for marriage and family therapy.
- Cites plunkett, robert l., "divorce laws should be reformed." marriage and divorce.
- Explains that mandated programs and educational seminars address and focus on important life issues such as religion, birth control, finances, role expectations, child rearing, conflict resolution, housework, extracurricular activities, values, and intimacy before a marriage license is granted.
- Explains that community marriage programs have older, solidly married "mentor couples" who assist the younger couples as they prepare for marriage and walk them through the early stages of their marriage.
- Opines that divorce has its place when circumstances are extreme, such as abuse of the spouse or children, adultery or desertion, but married people give up too easily when faced with life's traumas, trials and tribulations.
- Analyzes how ward and june cleaver got hung up in society's lax attitude and acceptance of divorce as the norm, and lost sight of family values and moral upbringing.
- Describes the council on families in america's report to the nation on marriage and divorce.
- Argues that marriage is no longer the revered union that it once was. the "no fault divorce" has changed that.
1649 wordsRead More - Single Parenting Theoryanalytical essaySteinmetz, S., & Sussman, M. (2013, November 11). Handbook of Marriage and the Family. Retrieved September 25,
In this essay, the author
- Reviews chodorow's book, the reproduction of mothering, feminism and psycohoanalytic theory, and the power of feelings.
- States satz, debra, "feminist perspectives on reproduction and the family." stanford university, 6 nov. 2004.
- Explains steinmetz, suzanne k., and marvin b. sussman's handbook of marriage and the family.
- Explains that single mother parenting is a family issue in today's society. the traditional family has seen many changes in the last fifty years.
- Analyzes chodorow's "the reproduction of mothering", which posits that if women are seen by society and view themselves as mothers, any liberation of women will continue to be experienced as traumatic.
- Explains that the single parent family differs in its course of development from the two parent nuclear family.
- Explains that single mothers' economic vulnerability is impacted by the fact that they are their children's sole caretakers.
- Cites chodorow, n. and satz, d. on feminist perspectives on reproduction and the family.
1090 wordsRead More - Online Dating Analysisexplanatory essayLamanna, M. A., & Riedmann, A. (2012). Marriages, Families, and Relationships. (11 ed., p. 36).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they feel they have much to "bring to the table" with regards to dating. they are an attractive, financially stable woman with a fulltime job and own their own home, truck, and motorcycle.
- Explains lamanna, m. a., & riedmann. marriages, families, and relationships.
- Explains why people advertise themselves for a date in newspapers or online. many people don't like the bar scene and feel it to be somewhat more secure.
- Opines that online dating is a great way of screening people before meeting them, and that it can be dangerous and deadly if not careful.
- Opines that online dating encourages homogamy because they have met many like-minded individuals who are going back to school and are well-spoken and driven by their goals.
898 wordsRead More - What Are The Disadvantages Of Ephesiansanalytical essay“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ephesians 4:11-16 covers important topics that we, as christians, should live by. paul talks about spiritual gifts and how they help us grow individually and as the church body.
- Analyzes how paul wrote ephesians, which is one of the 13 letters in the new testament. paul shifts gears and talks about how christians should live now that they are chosen in christ.
- Explains that christ himself gave the apostles, prophets and evangelists to equip his people for works of service.
- Explains that paul tells us that god gave us spiritual gifts so that we can do works of service.
- Explains that christ gave us spiritual gifts to help build the body of christ. it is natural that they would be used to glorify god.
- Opines that until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the son of god and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of christ's fullness.
- Explains that the first design of spiritual gifts is to help us attain unity and grow together as the body of christ until we reach unity in faith and knowledge.
- Opines that attaining the fullness of christ is something that every christian should strive for. spiritual gifts can help us reach this goal because other believers can use their gifts to grow where we are weak.
- Illustrates paul's point that believers will not be like infants being tossed back and forth. if they pursue god with their whole heart and become like him, they will grow in other areas.
- Explains that new christians don't have a deep understanding of christ and his teachings, so they are more likely to fall into the trap of believing deceitful schemes.
- Analyzes how paul encourages the church in ephesus to speak the truth in love to grow in maturity and unity.
- Explains that paul wrote the book of ephesians, which attracted a lot of people. the temple of artemis was the center of the city, and the trade routes intersected in the middle of it.
- Describes the three things that will happen as we continue on our pursuit towards attaining the fullness of christ.
- Concludes that ephesians 4:11-16 still holds truth that we should live by. god has given us spiritual gifts to equip us for works of service and build the body of christ.
2090 wordsRead More - Family Therapy Modelexplanatory essayIntroduction Ralph grew up with his mother and maternal grandmother. His father left before he was born due to addiction to drugs. He was sexually assaulted when he was 7 by an individual that he respected and trusted. He never told anyone about it, but urged his mother to keep the individual away from him from that point on. Later, when he was 10 years old he was sexually assaulted by a friend.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how ralph grew up with his mother and maternal grandmother and was sexually assaulted at 7 by an individual he respected and trusted.
- Explains that ralph is a 30-year-old caucasian male addicted to methamphetamine. he feels intense guilt for the way he has treated his family and loved ones throughout his addiction.
- Explains virginia satir's communication/validation family therapy model, which embodies a number of therapeutic techniques that have been proven advantageous with individuals struggling with substance abuse problems.
- Explains that the mft needs to be able to validate the family system and highlight the ways that each individual is not only affecting the other individuals in the system.
- Argues that a well-rounded model would address the physiological changes that have occurred since the introduction of drugs in the system.
- Explains how dysfunctional family systems work by interacting negatively with individuals and groups within the family. the family therapist should observe these interactions and make notes of how individuals interact with each other.
- Explains reframing is a powerful tool that can help individuals see cognitive fallacies and illustrate misunderstandings in communication. empathy has been proven to have great impact on individuals working with substance abuse problems.
- Explains the treatment plan for ralph's family would be to spend the first session observing the system and begin pointing out where communication falls short and changing the negative communication to positive congruent communication.
1302 wordsRead More - The Development Of Family Therapyexplanatory essayVirginia Satir was a key participant in the development of family systems theory. She was the developer of Conjoint family therapy, the Change Process model and the Communication model of family therapy. One of her core beliefs was that growth, change and understanding can be achieved to help people reach their full potential. She believed that she could help families to improve their relationships and communication exchanges (Caflisch, n.d.).
In this essay, the author
- Explains virginia satir was a key participant in the development of family systems theory. she believed that growth, change, and understanding can be achieved to help people reach their full potential.
- Explains that a family can improve their lives and relationships with others by changing the way they see and express themselves.
- Explains that satir proposed a five-stage model of change to improve how we process change. smith and hartline describe each of the five stages in his growth model.
- Explains that late status quo is when the family system is predictable and comfortable. then something disrupts their comfortable way of life.
- Explains satir's belief that our survival depends on how we communicate with each other and a lack of clear communication causes many problems.
- Explains virginia satir's theory and models have provided families and individuals with helpful and invaluable knowledge on how we can successfully make changes.
876 wordsRead More - Medical Family Therapy Case Studyexplanatory essayThe medical family therapist assigned to our family when my father became ill suddenly a few years ago was a gift from God. The therapist helped not only my father however, she helped our family understand the severity of my Dad’s condition. My father had a tumor pressing down on his spinal cord which slowly started affecting his balance then eventually his ability to walk. My father before this condition probably never missed a day of work unless he scheduled it off. Furthermore, my Dad was involved in many different activities, and on the board of directors for our church and his local union. When this illness occurred the doctor immediately suggested sitting down with a counselor to discuss my father’s limitation, and the next course of
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the medical family therapist assigned to their family when their father became ill suddenly was a gift from god.
- Explains that the medical family therapist helped the doctor articulate the benefits of the rehabilitation center.
- Opines that the most important component of medical family therapy is the relationship the therapist established with the family.
599 wordsRead More