Individual therapy is concerned with enhancing positive feelings of an individual such as self-esteem, compassion, love, peace, and courage. On the other hand, family therapy focuses on the relationship between members of a family and how they interact with one other. It is also worth acknowledging that although individual and family therapy modalities are distinct, the two are co-dependent because individuals and families are inseparable. Therefore, it is possible to integrate the two theories so that each can benefit from the other.
Individual and family therapies are approaches that can be employed in treatment and understanding of human behavior. Individual therapy tends to take a concentrated focus and entail internalization of personal dynamics. On the other hand family therapy tends to take an external focus. Research has shown that the two theories can be integrated so that each benefits the other. Creating a comparison between individual and family modalities helps in understanding the client type and integration for their treatment.
Individual therapy, also referred to as psychotherapy, entails a mutual process between the therapist and client that aims at improving quality life and facilitating change. This therapy is necessary in confronting barriers that interfere with an individual’s emotional and mental stability (Micheal, 2013).
Conte (2009) claims individual therapy is designed to resolve psychological problems associated with factors such as feelings, experiences, behavior self-actualization, history, and growth of an individual. Individual therapy provides a framework through which weaknesses and strengths of one’s personality can be analyzed and evaluated to help overcome weaknesses and improve strengths.
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Modalities are agents of factors that have an impact on a patient. These modalities are employed by therapists in directing the perspectives of their clients or patients. The effectiveness of counseling entirely depends on the therapy modalities and methods employed by the therapist. Individual and family therapies are employed in understanding and guiding of human behavior.
Works Cited
Asen, E. (2002). Outcome research in family therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8, 230–238.
Carr, A. (2009). The effectiveness of family therapy and systemic interventions for adult- focused problems. Journal of Family Therapy, 31(1), 46-74.
Conte, C. (2009). Advanced techniques for counseling and psychotherapy. New York, NY: Springer publishing Company.
Micheal, J. (2013). Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change. New York, NY: Wiley.
As a social worker it is often complex to determine which theory to employ in practice, each client will warrant for an in-debt assessment of the presenting problem and goals the client desires to achieve. This paper will explore one family intervention model that can be applied to the Taylor family. The two theories analyzed are Cognitive Behavioral Family Theory, (CBFT) and Structural Family Theory (SFT); both theories can be utilized when assisting individuals or families. The social worker will focus on the Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy model when applying treatment and interventions to the Taylor family case.
The intervention process used in contextual family therapy involves framing the discussion to properly address everyone separate story and they move the discussion to the collect desires of the family (Sude, 2015). Interventions that the therapist can use involve given verbal permission for the client to express feelings, thoughts and perspectives. The therapist then uses the intervention process to explore the nature of the clients individual and family conflicts.
Gladding, S. T. (2010). Family therapy: History, theory, and practice (5th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Because of the large amount of overlap in assessing the given family from a structural and strategic point of view, only the differences and additional requirements will be described in the following section. The main areas of differences relate to the overall therapeutic focus and the discussion of power. From a strategic point of view, problems serve as a function therefore the differences in assessment will not focus on shifts in power or hierarchy but will assess what purpose each issue serves. Additionally, viewing the family from a strategic point of view, each problem mustn’t be addressed as its own entity but all issues/concerns can be traced back to the presenting problem. The assessment, therefore, becomes part of the therapeutic
This approach emphasizes the importance of the potential of humans and sought to make up for the missing component of conscious in the psychodynamic approach. The humanistic approach oriented psychologist has the belief that human behavior is guided by intent and the individual’s set of values (Association, 2014). Those who subscribe to this orientation believe there are both an unconscious and a conscious element to determining behavior. The unconscious element is considered to be the individual’s application of learned norms and experience, while the conscious element is applied by making deliberate choices and decisions. A humanistic oriented practitioner will use differing types of therapy such as client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, or existential therapy (American Psychological, 2015). Client-centered therapy or person-centered therapy was developed by Carl Rogers and places the client as the leader of the therapy. This approach allows for the growth and better understanding of self within the individual, as they solve their own problems, while the therapist is there to provide empathetic support (Australian, 2010). Gestalt therapy focuses on the responsibility of the individual for their current situation and considers relationships, environment, and social experiences occurring, and influencing behavior (Polster & Polster, 2010). This process consists of the practitioner acting as a guide and offer advise in helping the client to deal with their current issue. Existential therapy consists of allowing an individual the ability to live with their issues within their own existence (Price, 2011). This means a therapist uses this type of therapy to assist clients with understanding what the present problem is and learning to deal with the consequences of that issue in their every day life. With
Structural family therapist have exemplified within the context relational therapies that uncovers stressors in relationship between individuals (Vetere, 2001). Structural family therapy has been known to be called “interventive approach” because of the “intensity” to encourage clients to change (Hammond & Nichols, 2014).
The focus of individual therapy/counseling ranges from mood and behavioral issues (i.e. addiction, eating disorders) to stress management, self-esteem, relationship struggles and "personal growth". Therapy/counseling helps heighten awareness by exploring underlying thoughts and feelings as well as the impact of family and culture and assists clients in developing new skills to deal with the challenges they face (Progressive recovery counseling,
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.
Counseling Theories August 3, 1995 Running head: Coun. v. Psychotherapy Counseling v. psychotherapy is there a difference between the two? This paper will attempt to prove that there are several differences between counseling and psychotherapy. While counseling and psychotherapy have several different elements in each, the following information will also attempt to show the reader that there are some areas where the two overlap. At times this was a confusing topic to research. A fine line distinguishes the two topics and one must look hard to see this line. Definition of Counseling One survey taken by Gustad suggests a definition of counseling where he included three key elements. Counseling is a learning-oriented process, carried on in a simple, one to one social environment, in which a counselor, professionally competent in relevant psychological skills and knowledge, seeks to assist the client by methods appropriate to the latter's needs and within the context of the total personnel program, to learn more about himself, to learn how to put such understanding into effect in relation to more clearly perceived, realistically defined goals to the ` end that the client may become a happier and more productive member of his society (1957, p. 36). In lay terms counseling can be described as a face to face relationship, having goals to help a client to learn or acquire new skills which will enable them to cope and adjust to life situations. The focus is to help a person reach maximum fulfillment or potential, and to become fully functioning as a person. Definition of Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is the process inwhich a therapists assists the client in re-organizing his or her personality. The therapist also helps the client integrate insights into everyday behavior. Psychotherapy can be defined as "more inclusive re-education of the individual" (Brammer& Shostrom,1977). Objectives of counseling The objectives of counseling according to the Committee on Definition, Division of Counseling Psychology, American Psychological Association are to "help individuals toward overcoming obstacles to their personal growth, wherever these may be encountered, and toward achieving optimum development of their personal resources" (Arbuckle, 1967). In a paper written by Dr. T. Millard, it is stated that "Counseling provides clarity and a positive and constructive venue for the individual to sensibly examine the instinctive-emotional and rational (or irrational) motives which determine the drive, content, and even the form of human conduct." This shows the part which counseling plays in a clients treatment.
The CBT theoretical formulation focuses on the whole family. “As behavior therapist shifted their attention from individuals to family relationships, they came to rely on Thibaut and Kelley’s theory of social exchange, according to which people strive to maximize rewards and minimize costs in relationships” (Nichols,
Seligman, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2014). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Systems, Strategies, and Skills (4th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Experiential Family Therapy is a therapy that encourages patients to address subconscious issues through actions, and role playing. It is a treatment that is used for a group of people in order to determine the source of problem in the family (Gurman and Kniskern, 2014). Experiential Family Therapy has its strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths of this therapy is that, it focuses on the present and patients are able to express their emotions on what is happening to them presently. The client will have time to share everything about his/her life experiences one on one without any fears. As a result, it helps the client in the healing process because, he/she is able to express their feelings freely and come out of the problem. Therefore, in this type of therapy, the clients are deeply involved in solving their issues. It helps clients to scrutinize their individual connections and to initiate a self-discovery through therapy, on how their relationships influence their current behaviors (Gurman and Kniskern, 2014). By examining their personal relationships through experiential family therapy, family members are able to
The goal of therapy is about encouraging the affected individual to feel more independent as well as exhibiting a more active involvement in relationships, to include forming more healthy interdependent relationships. Medications used for these patients are mainly used to manage depression and anxiety symptoms.
I think the major technique is focusing on the person and not the problem which would help the client to achieve independence and allow the client to cope with current and future problem they may face. Another major technique is the client determines the course of directions of therapy. Another technique is the person-centered therapy which is a non-directive which allows the client to be the focus of the therapy session without the therapy giving advice.
During therapy the importance of subjective experiences, the existence of the ability of personal growth and the importance of goal-directed meanings in life are emphasised (Frankl, 1959). Furthermore, the importance of the proper circumstances for the growth of self-concept (Rogers, 1959), the necessity of self-actualization and recognition of one's potential, accentuation of joy as part of life and authenticity are stimulated (Cave, 1999). The client is motivated to make one's own decisions without the intervention of the therapy leader. Focus is placed on present rather than on past and the therapist is more like an active listener. Roger's therapy was argued (Truax, 1996) that it is a simple form of behaviour therapy as it is using positive reinforcement. The humanistic therapy also incorporates other used techniques, such the already discussed Roger's person-centered therapy, Berne's (1964) transactional analysis, Perl's (1969) gestalt therapy, conjoint therapy, milieu therapy (Jones, 1953). These approaches are most useful with specific individuals, not with patients with particular disorders. Patients do acquire benefits from humanistic therapy approaches, however difficulty arises from the point of view whether science can adequately measure what the therapist finds meaningful about the changes they perceive during therapy (Yalom, 1980). The