DB14

DISCUSSION EXAMPLE W14

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

Structural family therapy is based on the theory that an individual's symptoms are best understood from looking at familial interactions and patterns (Corey, 2017). Salvador Minuchin, the theorist behind it, also believed that the structure of a family must change before an individual's symptoms can be reduced or eliminated (Corey, 2017). There are two goals of structural family therapy: 1. reducing the symptoms of dysfunction and 2. bringing about structural change within the system by modifying rules and establishing appropriate boundaries within the family unit (Corey, 2017). Sub-systems were eventually developed within this theory. These generally consistent of individuals within the sub-system, for example, parental, spousal, or sibling, just to name a few (Corey, 2017).

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.

I first noticed congruent family communication being used at the very beginning of the session. Mom was saying that the boys always seem to have something negative to say to each other. Both the boys agreed, and even sort of demonstrated a small example of it. The whole family seemed to be in agreement that the boys always looked for the negative in one another. Another way she used congruent family communication was by connecting the entire family by identifying where and how they feel when they get annoyed. The counselor demonstrated family sculpting by engaging the entire family. She sat on the floor to demonstrate to Tanner how the feeling of being alone may look. Tanner agreed that was a correct physical reflection of loneliness. She then got Brayden's perspective of the situation and how anger would look to him. Then went onto mom and identified what she is usually doing while this is taking place and the same with dad. This exercise brought out a lot of emotions within the family because of mom's guilt that Tanner felt lonely.

This helped to identify the roles in the family and what is happening that before may not have been identified. I really thought these techniques were especially interesting. The congruent family communication really seemed to connect the family as a whole. I think this is especially beneficial for a counselor because it helps understand how the family unit operates and each individual’s role within that family. I think this is a technique I would want to use with a family because it helps get everyone on the same page of communication. Family sculpting is something I was unsure about, but I really think the counselor did an excellent job utilizing it. Sometimes physically doing something makes it translate to "real life" easier, and I think this exercise did so for this family. I would probably use this technique with a family as well because I think it made a big difference in the lives of this family.

DISCUSSION EXAMPLE W14

References

Corey, G. (2017). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Sommers-Flannagan, J. & Sommers-Flannagan, 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