Using a metaperspective to clarify the structural-narrative debate in family therapy

The debate in family therapy between structural and narrative therapists often seems irreconcilable. Drawing from work in theoretical sociology that identifies the basic structure of existing social theory, a metaperspective is introduced to clarify a discussion between leading figures in the debate. Disparate views of family interactions are examined in terms of more fundamental disagreements about the center of attention in therapy. Narrative and structural modes of presentation are examined as separate traditions that could not be further apart conceptually. Efforts to identify common ground are discussed in terms of more significant differences that are minimized by drawing out similarities. This analysis provides a framework for standing outside entrenched arguments to see more clearly the unique contributions of each approach.     

Effects of visual deprivation on space representation: immediate and delayed pointing toward memorised proprioceptive targets

Congenitally blind, late-blind, and blindfolded-sighted participants performed a pointing task at proximal memorised proprioceptive targets. The locations to be memorised were presented on a sagittal plane by passively positioning the left index finger. A 'go' signal for matching the target location with the right index finger was given 0 or 8 s after left-hand demonstration. Absolute distance errors were smaller in the blind groups, with both delays pooled together; signed distance and direction errors were underestimated with the longer delay, and were overestimated by blind groups, whereas the blindfolded-sighted group underestimated them. Elongation of the scatters was stretched but not affected by delay or group. The surface scatter was greater with the longer delay; and orientation of the main axis of the pointing ellipses shows the use of an egocentric frame of reference by the congenitally blind group for both delays, the use of egocentric (0 s) and exocentric (8 s) frame of reference by the blindfolded-sighted group, with the late-blind group using an intermediate frame of reference for both delays. Therefore, early and late visual-deprivation effects are distinguished from transient visual-deprivation effects as long-term deprivation leads to increased capabilities (absolute distance estimations), unaltered organisation (for surface and elongation), and altered organisation (amplitude and direction estimations, orientation of pointing distribution) of the spatial representation with proprioception. Besides providing an extensive exploration of pointing ability and mechanisms in the visually deprived population, the results show that cross-modal plasticity applies not only to neural bases but extends to spatial behaviour.     

Kinematic assessment of treadmill running using different body-weight support harnesses

10 male collegiate runners (M age = 21.4, SD = 1.5 yr.) ran on a treadmill with no body-weight support (BWS), 20% BWS, and 40% BWS conditions. In addition, they wore three different commercially available harnesses at the 20% and 40% BWS conditions. The aim was to run on the treadmill at a fast speed while maintaining an adequate step length. The purpose was to investigate how each harness changed running gait, and the differences in running gait between the harnesses with various body-weight support. Analysis of variance indicated significant restriction of upper body torso rotation between the harnesses at the 40% BWS conditions. Body-weight support resulted in a longer stride, decreased cadence, less vertical displacement of the center of mass, and diminished hip and ankle joint excursions. These changes indicated that increased body-weight support results in longer steps with the foot contacting the belt for a shorter period of time with less leg angular changes throughout the running cycling.     

Play Group Therapy with Psychotic Adolescent Girls

In this paper, by using the perspective of self psychology, we hope to illustrate and explicate (through clinical examples) the positive aspects of the pairing phenomenon in group therapy with the elderly. Traditionally subgrouping or pairing has been viewed as the “Achilles' heel of group therapy,” and usually interpreted as defensive and destructive to group process. In this paper we distinguish between those instances of pairing and subgrouping that are defensive and those that are reparatory of the self system (the latter involving twinship and alter ego selfobject transferences). These reparatory transferences may play a constructive role in establishing group cohesion and allaying primitive somatic anxieties, especially in the elderly patient.     

Learning Under Conditions of Action Information Feedback

Methodological and empirical issues in research on action information feedback (AIF) are discussed, with particular reference to the procedures and results of Annett (1970). Positioning responses practiced under conditions of AIF training are learned, though generally less well than under terminal IF conditions. Effects obtained as a result of AIF training may be subject to variations in movement extent required, gain and other transformations, frequency, temporal locus, and mode of augmentation, many aspects of which remain to be systematically studied.     

The Cult Phenomenon: A Turn of the Century Update

A variety of groups that function on the fringes of both religion and psychotherapy have been evident in the U.S. since the 1960s, with perhaps their greatest presence noted in the 1970s. There were as many as 3000 cult-type organizations identified in that period. Many of these groups created havoc with their followers' lives and the lives of the followers' families. The authors examined the cults in the late 1970s and early 1980s, comparing their activities and requirements to those of "standard" religions and sects. The present article looks at the changes in the two decades since then, noting modifications in the cults' target populations as well as the increases in many kinds of violence in some of the groups.     

Lending a Hand One Child at a Time: The Children's Rights Council's Child Access and Transfer Centers

This paper summarizes characteristics of Children's Rights Council child access and transfer centers and presents findings from a pilot survey of parents in a subset of centers. The legislative history of Federal government support for child access projects is presented. The importance of parent-child access following divorce is noted, and existing research findings on outcomes associated with child access programs are reviewed. The differences between the CRC model of child access centers, and those operated by other providers, are discussed in detail. Add-on services, such as parenting education, counseling, and marriage and family therapy, receive due attention.     

Consultation in family therapy

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of the use of consultants by experienced family therapists. The authors discuss the need for consultation under different circumstances and review a number of models currently being utilized. Emphasis is placed on preparing the clients for the consultation, providing background information to and preparing with the consultant for the session(s), and transferring “power” to the consultant and back again to the primary therapist.