An experientially based inductive approach to learning about family therapy

Abstract

The numerous and diverse approaches to the practice of family therapy pose a critical dilemma to practicing family therapists confronted with selecting a direction of study to further enhance their own professional knowledge and skill bases. This paper describes and evaluates a five-phase training model which facilitates practitioners' choices in regard to model selection by providing them with an opportunity to compare their own therapeutic belief and action systems with those of family therapists oriented to one of three historically prominent models of family therapy.     

Working with Interpreters in Therapy Groups for Forced Migrants: Challenges and Opportunities

ABSTRACT

Despite the inherent value and effectiveness of group therapy, group therapists often face language and cultural barriers in facilitating groups for immigrants and, in particular, forced migrants. Without adequately addressing these barriers, group therapists are unlikely to deliver culturally responsive and clinically effective treatments. In this article, modes of interpretation and roles of interpreters in mental health care are first discussed. Next, we highlight clinical, cultural, and ethical challenges of incorporating interpreters in group therapy, with special attention to issues in therapy groups for forced migrants. Opportunities and suggestions for maximizing the value of interpreters in group therapy are offered.     

Suffering Injustice: Misrecognition as Moral Injury in Critical Theory

Abstract

It is the persistence of social suffering in a world in which it could be eliminated that for Adorno is the source of the need for critical reflection, for philosophy. Philosophy continues and gains its cultural place because an as yet unbridgeable abyss separates the social potential for the relief of unnecessary human suffering and its emphatic continuance. Philosophy now is the culturally bound repository for the systematic acknowledgement and articulation of the meaning of the expanse of human suffering within technologically advanced societies that are already committed to liberal ideals of freedom and equality.     

Understanding the Role of Gender and Ethnic Oppression when Treating Mexican American Women for Eating Disorders

Gender, ethnicity, and weight issues are often the basis for internalized oppression. Mexican American women with eating disorders are subject to such internalization, complicated by cultural and family factors. Mexican American women (n = 136) were assessed. The resulting culturally discrepant gender identity theory describes the complicated set of relationships between weight, cultural weightism, gender identity, assimilation to U.S. culture, family factors, and eating disorder symptoms. Therapists treating eating disorders should consider ethnic and gender identity in addressing the conflicts between family, culture, and gender expectations; and demonstrate sensitivity to the complex inter-generational relationships in Mexican American families.     

Latinx LGBQ Young Adults’ Coming-Out Experiences

Abstract

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) must be culturally competent and sensitive to serve the growing Latinx population in the United States (US). To understand the sexual orientation disclosure experiences of Latinx LGBQ individuals, we interviewed 10 individuals. Using Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenology, we identified six themes: disclosure impacts family closeness, family members experience disbelief, control over the disclosure influences young adults’ perception of their coming-out experience, the coming-out experience is influenced by religion, the coming-out experience is influenced by traditional gender roles, and disclosure of sexual identity is a continuous process. We discuss clinical implications and areas for future research.     

Family of origin: An experiential workshop

Abstract

A rationale is presented and a one day, content-free family of origin experiential workshop is described in detail. The workshop is designed for clients in ongoing family therapy. Its purposes are 1) motivating family members to engage in family of origin investigations; 2) supplying information in a supportive experiential learning paradigm for use in ongoing peer and multiple family therapy groups; 3) minimally teaching procedures for conducting a Bowen-like search; 4) contributing to an agency-wide atmosphere of intrigue and support for intergenerational therapeutic work. Sculpture, role-play and dramaturgical techniques are interwoven into a fabric deliberately left unfinished in order to provide maximal material for the ongoing family therapy.     

Behavior modification in marriage counseling

Abstract

Telephone cotherapy via three-way conference call of symbolic-experien-Hal family therapy is presented in a way that captures the spirit of a great pioneer, Carl Whitaker, M.D. The problems of the family, the process of therapy, and the beginning and ending are presented in a manner intended to bring the reader inside the experience. There are particular focuses on the use of family political power by both family therapists and an anguished family member in mobilizing the family for therapy. Impact is demonstrated in helping a family who felt hopeless become hopeful. The family attained a family spirit.     

A Systems Approach to Sex Therapy with Gay Male Couples

SUMMARY

Sex therapy with gay male couples is difficult for many family and relationship therapists. Family therapists lack knowledge of the nature of sex therapy, gay male culture and sexuality, the dynamics of gay male couples, and the sexual issues gay male couples are likely to bring to sex therapy. Countertransference also makes sex therapy with gay male couples difficult for some family and relationship therapists. This paper addresses those issues and then explains a systems approach to sex therapy with gay male couples.     

Cultural safety in Muslim aged care: Taking the bull by the horns

ABSTRACT

Cultural safety is critical to providing holistic, person-centred care. Where “deep” or core cultural elements are primarily shaped and influenced by religion, it becomes important to recognise and understand the religious values and traditions in planning, designing, and delivering care. Such an approach is significantly important for communities essentially identified by their faith, such as the Muslim community. Muslims living in the West face challenges owing to their minority status and these are increasing in the current geopolitical context. These challenges contribute to individual Muslims and their families feeling vulnerable within an aged-care system that is mostly unfamiliar, and often confusing and frightening to them. This article attempts to make a case for cultural safety in the context of Muslim aged care. It does not offer an answer or a definite solution to the cultural risks Muslims may face in care settings. Rather, the article seeks to explore avenues for creating an environment of cultural safety without delving specifically into culturally safe care practices. It is only possible to offer culturally safe care when the environment in which care is to be delivered is respectful and supportive.     

Continuing education and training

Abstract

The conference on Innovations in Family Life Styles presented in March of this year by the Long Island Chapter of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy highlights the importance of a sociological and nonpathological perspective toward the family which is of critical importance for therapists. Only with such a perspective can one reasonably approach the tasks of marriage and family therapy, and the new awareness which is then possible for both therapists and families often leads to unexpected growth in unpredictable directions.

Dr. George Meyer, who chaired the conference, and who is Associate Professor of Psychology at Suffolk County Community College provides us with a rich review of the keynote address by Dr. Graham Spanier, and with cogent summaries of the other three presentations on the program.

—I.A.     

Unilateral family therapy for alcohol abuse: A working conception

Abstract

Unilateral family therapy is presented as a new mode of family therapy in which intervention is directed toward changing the behavior of an uncooperative family member through working with a cooperative member as mediator. In this initial exposition of the unilateral approach, it is applied to the problem of endeavoring to reach and change an uncooperative alcohol abuser through giving therapeutic assistance to a cooperating spouse. A working conception of this mode of therapy is presented based upon the authors' current clinical research in this area. Directions for further research and development are identified.     

The Co-Construction of New Meanings in Couple Relationships

SUMMARY

The gender informed psychotherapist has Ihc challenge of addressing power issues in couple relationships in a manner that is both gender sensitive and blame free. The Relationship Enhancement model of couple therapy (Guerney, 1977) is particularly suitable for doing this. The model integrates the qualities of empathy and autonomy that are culturally considered feminine and masculine respectively. It systematically teaches couples how to interact with each other in a non-blaming way that is deeply empathic, rationally assertive, and sensitive to how meanings can be both de-constructed and co-constructed in dialogue. The model also permits the integration of relevant techniques from other therapeutic approaches.     

Application of Child Protective Services in Korea

Abstract

Because childrearing is a very culturally oriented practice, cultural sensitivity in Child Protective Services (CPS) is a very important factor for effective services. Korea has recently begun social intervention in cases of child abuse, but faces many difficulties resulting from cultural dilemmas. In particular, Korean society has the value of corporal punishment and negative attitudes toward social intervention into family issues. These cultural characteristics result in strong resistance to intervention by CPS. In the future, the success of child abuse intervention in Korean society will depend on how these cultural dilemmas are resolved. The development of a CPS model based on Korean culture can be an alternative to reduce conflicts in the application of CPS.     

Parentification and the Impostor Phenomenon: An Empirical Investigation

The therapeutic alliance has consistently predicted client outcomes in psychotherapy. This study uses attachment theory as a resource in understanding the therapeutic alliance. Participants in this study were 27 mothers, 15 fathers, and 23 adolescents that participated in family therapy. Results indicate that mothers' reports of trust in their oldest child predicted the alliance, and adolescent ratings of trust in mothers and fathers moderated the relationship between therapy alliance and symptom distress. Implications for family therapy research and practice are discussed.     

EMDR as a treatment for improving attachment status in adults and children

IntroductionThe purpose of the article is to examine the current literature regarding evidence for positive change in attachment status following Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and to describe how an integrative EMDR and family therapy team model was implemented to improve attachment and symptoms in a child with a history of relational loss and trauma.LiteratureThe EMDR method is briefly described along with the theoretical model that guides the EMDR approach. As well, an overview of attachment theory is provided and its implication for conceptualizing symptoms related to a history of relational trauma. Finally, a literature review is provided regarding current preliminary evidence that EMDR can improve attachment status in children and adults.Clinical findingsA case study is described in which an EMDR and family therapy integrative model improved attachment status and symptoms in a child with a history attachment trauma.ConclusionThe case study and literature review provide preliminary evidence that EMDR may be a promising therapy in the treatment of disorders related to attachment trauma.     

Costs of Treating Conduct Disordered Medicaid Youth with and without Family Therapy

This longitudinal, retrospective study investigated the healthcare costs of youth treated for conduct disorder in the Kansas Medicaid system. Along with a comprehensive range of services, youth received in-office individual therapy, in-office family therapy, or in-home family therapy. Data was available for 3753 youth. Overall, 3086 youth received care that included individual therapy (and no family therapy), 503 received in-home family therapy and 164 others received in-office family therapy. Healthcare costs for a period of two and one half years after therapy were available for analysis. The average cost of healthcare for youth receiving no family therapy was $16, 260. For those receiving in-office family therapy, the average cost was $11,116. Youth who received in-office family therapy received $5,144 (32%) less care on average than those receiving only individual therapy. Those who received in-home family therapy averaged $1,622 over the follow-up the period. Those who received in-home family therapy were least expensive of all, averaging at least 85% less than any form of in-office therapy. There does not appear to be an increase in the healthcare cost when family therapy is included in treatment.     

Male Cross-Dressers in Therapy: A Solution-Focused Perspective for Marriage

This paper offers techniques on how to work with male cross-dressers using solution-focused therapy. An overview about issues crossdressers often face is addressed which shows they have many of the same concerns as other clients seeking therapy. Solution-focused therapy is discussed as a way to work with male-cross dressers and their partners. A case study of a male cross-dresser and his wife is presented and possible directions are suggested for marriage and family therapists.     

One-person family therapy? An analysis of family therapy schools

Abstract

In this article, eight schools of family therapy (psychodynamic, intergenerational, contextual, experiential, structural, strategic, functional, behavioral) are examined regarding participation policies. Differences in schools' participation policies are compared and contrasted using comparative and content analyses. Schools' theoretical rationales and how they effect therapy practice are explored. Implications for therapy practice are presented. The study's goal is to provide information to increase therapist flexibility in working with varying client populations.