DB14

1. Select one of the four approaches listed above and provide a brief (1-2 paragraph) summary.

Intergenerational theory in Family Therapy is therapy among family members across different generations. This includes, family members who live in the home and issues arose while living there. Many times this technique is used when children are young adults and older who struggled growing up and cannot move past their feelings or issues which happened when they were younger (DiBlasio, 2002). For example, if a child's mother is overprotective and the father shows no emotion during their childhood they may feel ineffective as an adult, this technique helps the child express their feelings towards what happened helping him free these emotions and become new.

This technique also helps an adult child who feels they were emotionally cut-off by their parents (DiBlasio, 2002). Using this theory in family therapy will help the client express their feelings and open up about how it truly affected them. This will also help the adult child to not repeat what their parents did. This theory is successful for the use of being able to express how they feel and gain feedback from their families in a neutral setting.

2. Access Psychotherapy.net from the MBU library. Select the "Counseling & Psychotherapy Theories in Context & Practice" videos. Once you open these videos, select Family Systems Therapy and watch the video in its entirety. After you have watched the video, construct 1-2 paragraphs that specifically details your thought, feelings, and insights into the counselors use of family sculpting and prompting congruent family communication.

Watching the video, I felt as though the counselor did a tremendous job during her session. While working with family she was kind-hearted, open but also set boundaries so all family members were heard. Dr. Flanagan (2013) mentioned how family therapy is similar to feminist therapy as counselors try to set the root of the problem outside of the individuals. The biggest focus is if the counselor can change interactions between family members so they can address symptoms in family members (Flanagan & Flanagan, 2013). Sculpting was the technique Kirsten utilized during the video and it worked very well.

Sculpting allowed each family member to express their perspective of the issues going on at home. During the video, Kirsten let Brayden start sculpting and noticed he was lonely because his older brother picks on him, his mother is busy studying and dad is usually working on the computer (Flanagan & Flanagan, 2013). I really liked this strategy and believe it is very effective in showing parents and siblings the effect their actions are having on the family. It also opens them up for positive change along with not putting blame on themselves. It is also helpful to see Kirsten point out family member’s nonverbal cues and ask them to explain what they are feeling. It opens up communication between family members. Lastly, I really enjoyed how during the counseling session you could see Kirsten ask one of the children to please pay attention to what the other sibling is stating and they will get their chance in a minute. Setting these boundaries helped all family members feel comfortable when sharing, knowing the attention is on them. References:

DiBlasio, F. A. (2002). The use of a decision‐based forgiveness intervention within intergenerational family therapy. Retrieved April 8, 2020, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1467-6427.00069 (Links to an external site.)

Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2013). Counseling & Psychotherapy Theories in Context & Practice [Streaming video]. Retrieved from http://0- www.psychotherapy.net.bridges.searchmobius.org/stream/mobap/video?vid=277