Family Case Study

In keeping with the Adlerian model, using an open forum setting with the parents of this family could prove to be effective. Knowing that this family is generally functional, and is looking for help to improve their communication skills together, they would be a good fit for this practice. Providing a framework where respect and support concerning this family’s dilemma is reciprocated between the parents, audience members, and therapist, would be important for all participating to understand, in order to ensure the family’s best interest is priority (LaFountain & Mustaine, 1998, p.190). Ground rules would need to be established for the audience members who ask questions, and contribute to the conversation, to do so with a focus on the family at hand, unless otherwise specified by the therapist ” (Bitter, 2014,

By asking the parents about each child, and how they engage within the family, it would help see if there is a connection between birth orders and each of the girls’ behaviour patterns. It would also be important to “identify the parent’s positions in their family of origin and their perceptions of their position” (LaFountain & Mustaine, 1998, 192), in order to “notice what impact these patterns have on the present family dynamics” (LaFountain & Mustaine, 1998, 192). Doing this could help myself as the therapist identify factors which may be contributing to why each family member is responding the way they do, as well as better understand the role of the parents as the family leaders, acknowledging where their strengths and effectiveness lies, and where they are perhaps struggling in this role (Bitter, 2014, p.