A family systems approach to conciliation in separation and divorce

This paper argues for a family systems approach to families who are in conflict during the process of divorce, particularly in relation to custody and access for their children. The concept of 'conciliation' as a brief method of intervention is both defined and discussed and principles and skills are identified. The influence of the context within which conciliation is practised and in particular, the power which the conciliator holds, or is perceived by the family to hold, is also discussed. These ideas are illustrated by case examples.     

A family/systems approach to illness-maintaining behaviors in chronically ill adolescents

A distressingly significant number of chronic, seriously ill adolescents demonstrate poor medical management of their illnesses through "illness-maintaining behaviors." These behaviors are defined in this article as any action that compromises chronically ill adolescents' care and prevents them from functioning optimally. Current conceptualizations of illness-maintaining behaviors offer explanations that view these behaviors as individually focused, using either psychodynamic or behavioral models. This article, however, presents a family systems model of illness-maintaining behaviors. A therapeutic framework leading to specific intervention strategies is also developed.     

A behavioural and systems approach to family therapy: a position paper

An integrated model of a behavioural and systems approach to family therapy is presented, the main premise being that family interactions are affected by reciprocal determination of cognitions, feelings and behaviours in relation to the environment. Assessment involves a systematic exploration of the interaction and transactional patterns within the family, and the identification of the dysfunctional aspects of such patterns. The main aim of the intervention is to produce change in family behaviour by addressing the important cognitive and affective issues. This entails techniques such as cognitive restructuring, social modelling and operant conditioning which can be used separately, in parallel, or in combination. Whether one or more of these techniques is used depends on the nature of the family's problems and the aims of treatment.     

A family systems approach to child–parent separation: 'developmental closure'

This paper presents a family systems model for considering the interactive events that occur when a child and parent move towards closing their relationship and separating. This process typically involves the child being 'received into care' and is identified as developmental closure . Different stages of this process are exemplified clinically and the therapeutic principles that guide work with families struggling with such difficulties are outlined.     

Elective mutism in children: A family systems approach

Abstract

Elective mutism in children is a relatively rare symptom which is more prevalent in the kindergarten population and has a higher incidence among immigrant families. Treatment strategies for this silent symptom include speech therapy, behavior modification, psychoanalytic, psychotherapeutic, family systems and a combination of these approaches. This paper reviews the types of elective mutism and proposes common characteristics of elective mutists' families. The potential for a redefinition of the term “elective mutism” is examined. It is concluded that family dynamics are an integral part of the elective mutism problem and need to be considered in a comprehensive treatment plan.     

The educational therapy contribution to a family systems approach

This article draws on the experience of one specialist education unit to demonstrate the usefulness of engaging families directly in the treatment of children showing difficulty in managing tasks and relationships in school. It will look at the overlap of psychoanalytic and systemic ideas and show how theory and practice from both 'schools of thought' allow for a fuller understanding of blocks to school success and also support the family and child in their efforts to 'defeat' a difficulty. I look in particular at the way a psychodynamic focus on a child's inner world can work alongside the systemic focus on family structure, hierarchy and history.     

Saint Paul's approach to grief: Clarifying the ambiguity

There is a certain ambiguity in the Christian approach to grief that dates back to St. Paul. Paul stood at the crossroads of two traditional approaches to grief: the lamentation stradition, encouraging the full, free expression of grief emotions, and the consolation tradition, which encouraged restraint, moderation, and patience. Paul's pastoral approach to grief reflects elements of both traditions, synthesized to fit his own unique theological context. The modern pastor, informed by current thinking in psychology, faces a similar challenge. To facilitate one's own synthesis, the pastor must begin by clarifying his/her psychological assumptions about the nature of health and his/her theological assumptions about the nature of loss.     

A systems approach to ethical problems

Codes of professional ethics and cases designed to teach ethical decision making are written for individual professionals and ignore the systems level of analysis. They typically employ a lineal view of causality and overvalue placement of blame as a component of ethical problem solving. This article takes a systems approach to ethical problems and identifies aspects of systems that promote or impede ethical decision making. Psychological abuse of children is used as an example of a problem requiring a coordinated, systemic response to ethical issues such as autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality.     

A systems approach to AIDS counselling

The initial tasks of a systemic AIDS Counsellor in accepting a referral are described. These include: (a) describing the context of the problem; (b) obtaining a clear definition of the problem; (c) responding to changing views of the problem over time; and (d) identifying whom the problem affects. Failure to consider these issues can give rise to extraneous difficulties in counselling sessions,     

You must leave before you can cleave: A family systems approach to premarital pastoral work

We advocate the use of a family systems approach to premarital pastoral work, involving exploration of the families of origin of the intended spouses. Family systems theory argues that a marriage is like a merger of two corporations, each having its own stockholders; thus, adequate preparation for marriage involves coming to terms with the realities of one's family of origin and that of one's intended spouse. Exploratory techniques include genograms, house tours, family photo albums, and discussions of the rules and rituals in the respective families. Leaving father and mother is the central prerequisite to marriage.Dr. Mitchell is Professor of Pastoral Care and Theology, Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri 63119. Dr. Anderson is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.     

The rainbow bridge: an approach to family systems via Howards End

Bateson's ideas of artistic expression, the continuity of Art and Science and the nature of Mind are used as cues for the exploration of Howards End, E. M. Forster's novel of family life. Illustrations of systemic concepts are given from the text. Particular relevance is suggested for the use of literary examples in family therapy training and in the development of family systems theory.     

Extreme itching treated by a family systems approach

A case study is presented in which a 16-year-old daughter developed extreme itching and scratching behavior that was triggered by the occurrence of manifested parental conflict. The daughter's scratching also served the family function of helping the parents avoid marital conflict. Family treatment consisted of helping the parents manifest, negotiate, and resolve marital conflict issues in front of the daughter so that she could experience the benefits of dealing with a family conflict in a functional way. This approach had helped the daughter decrease her anxiety about conflict situations which, in turn, has resulted in a significant decrease in her itching and scratching behavior. In addition, the parents report an improved marital relationship now that the daughter's itching no longer occurs and no longer interrupts the parents' attempts to negotiate marital conflict issues.1979, Fall     

Extreme itching treated by a family systems approach

A case study is presented in which a 16-year-old daughter developed extreme itching and scratching behavior that was triggered by the occurrence of manifested parental conflict. The daughter's scratching also served the family function of helping the parents avoid marital conflict. Family treatment consisted of helping the parents manifest, negotiate, and resolve marital conflict issues in front of the daughter so that she could experience the benefits of dealing with a family conflict in a functional way. This approach has helped the daughter decrease her anxiety about conflict situations which, in turn, has resulted in a significant decrease in her itching and scratching behavior. In addition, the parents report an improved marital relationship now that the daughter's itching no longer occurs and no longer interrupts the parents' attempts to negotiate marital conflict issues.     

Gestalt approach to family therapy

Abstract

Gestalt psychotherapy is presented as a synthesis of a number of psychological traditions. Two particular techniques are described in detail: the empty chair technique which is a strategy that focuses on the parents' internalized object relations which are played out between themselves and with their children; and the Gestalt experiment which is a strategy that focuses on the contact boundaries between family members.     

A dynamical systems approach to manual tracking performance

Manual tracking performance was investigated from the perspective of dynamical systems theory. The authors manipulated the type of visual display, the control system dynamics, and the frequency of the sinusoidal input signal to examine couplings with various phases between the visual signal and control movements. Analyses of the system output amplitude ratio and relative phase showed that participants (N = 24) performed poorly with 90 degrees relative phase coupling. All the couplings became less stable as the movement frequency increased. The authors developed an adaptive oscillator model with linear damping to describe the coupled system consisting of the human performer, the visual display, and the control system dynamics. A geometric account of the stability of performance at different relative phases is also presented.     

Karma and redemption: A religious approach to family violence

Violence within the family is becoming so widespread that its treatment cannot be left to specialists alone, but increasingly will be faced by the helping professions generally. The Hindu concept of Karma and the Christian theory of redemption together provide a religious understanding for those who seek to help both the perpetrators and victims of family violence. Karma holds the truth that actions bear consequences, whereas redemption suggests that the evil consequences can be altered for good. The result is a new Karmic law which provides a fundamental starting point for family abuse counseling.Formerly, he was Assistant Professor of Religion at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. Prior to taking up his post with Scripture Union, he worked in Anchorage as Adult Education Specialist for two agencies dealing with sexual abuse and domestic violence. This paper formed the basis for his presentation at an Alaskan conference on violence in the family held in Anchorage in October 1985.