contextual family therapy

· Contextual Family Therapy

Contextual family therapy is a less utilized model currently; however, the concepts and ideas from this model have played a major role in MFTs’ understanding of family dynamics. The founder of the contextual model was Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy (Ruzgyte, 2011). Boszormenyi-Nagy’s ideas integrated his sense of justice and loyalty with intergenerational family dynamics. Essentially, the contextual model embraced the idea that people are influenced by intergenerational “hurts” (e.g., feelings of disloyalty, trust, and fairness). Clients would explore these past hurts and find a way to both make amends and move forward from these scenarios. Boszormenyi-Nagy felt that forgiveness was a major factor in healing these past hurts.

The major goal of this model is awareness and understanding of past experiences and intergenerational patterns (Ruzgyte, 2011). Change occurs when clients are able to understand these experiences and move forward from them without repeating similar experiences in their own lives. Boszormenyi-Nagy brought the idea of the ethical responsibilities of family members into the contextual model. He argued that family members have a responsibility to create a safe and fair environment for one another.

References

Ruzgyte, E. (2011). Contextual family therapy. In L. Metcalf (Ed.),  Marriage and family therapy: A practice-oriented approach (pp. 65-90). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

Weekly Resources and Assignments

Review the videos and weekly resources to prepare for this week’s assignments. Consider how contextual therapists view the problem and how change occurs. The quiz for this week is a way to consider what you have read and understood about contextual family therapy. 

The resources may include textbook reading assignments, journal articles, websites, links to tools or software, videos, handouts, rubrics, etc.

I Would Like to Call You Mother Part I 

I Would Like to Call You Mother Part II 

I Would Like To Call You Mother Part III

· Week 5 - Assignment: Apply the Contextual Constructs: Quiz

Quiz

Length:  This quiz includes 10 questions. You may utilize your resources during the quiz, and there is no time limit. You will have two opportunities for success on the quiz and the highest score will be registered.

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy.

Be sure to complete this quiz and submit before 11:59 pm Arizona time on Sunday.

· An Introduction to MFT Systems Theory and Foundational Models

Northcentral University Faculty (2019).  An Introduction to MFT Systems Theory and Foundational Models. Read Chapter 12 - Bickler, A. (2019). Contextual therapy.

· Are trustworthiness and fairness enough? Contextual family therapy and the good family

Fowers, B.J., & Wenger, A. (1997). Are trustworthiness and fairness enough? Contextual family therapy and the good family.  Journal of Marital, 23: 153-169.

· A study of Contextual Therapy Theory's relational ethics in couples in therapy

Gangamma, R., Bartle-Haring, S., & Glebova, T. (2012). A study of Contextual Therapy Theory's relational ethics in couples in therapy.  Family Relation, 61, 825.

· Forgiveness as an intervention in contextual family therapy: Two case examples

Mauldin, G.R., & Anderson, W.T. (1998). Forgiveness as an intervention in contextual family therapy: Two case examples,  TCA Journal, 26(2), 123-132.

· The Acknowledgment, Naming, and Giving (ANG) Activity: A Systemic Self of the Therapist Training Exercise

Sude, M. E. (2015). The Acknowledgment, Naming, and Giving (ANG) Activity: A Systemic Self of the Therapist Training Exercise.  Journal of Systemic Therapies, 34(1).