Term
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Definition
structural family therapy term developed by Minuchin
ways in which family members join together or oppose one another in carrying out a family activity
Forming alignment can be source of power for those who formed it
affiliations and splits, temporary or permanent, are usually formed in pursuit of homeostasis w/i family system
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Term
Bowen’s Family System Theory (tenets of) |
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Definition
Bowen conceptualized family as emotional unit w/ network of interlocking relationships, best understood when analyzed within multigenerational framework
always trying to balance two life forces–family togetherness & individual autonomy
8 interlocking concepts: differentiation of self (individual should differentiate from family),
triangles (when 2-person system moves 3rd individual btw to decrease anxiety),
nuclear family emotional system (individuals attracted to mates w/ similar differentiation levels),
family projection process (parents project emotional problems onto at least 1 child),
emotional cutoff (extreme emotional distancing from family of origin),
multigenerational transmission process (chronic anxiety is transmitted down generations),
sibling position, and
societal emotional process.
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Term
Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (tenets of) |
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Definition
work of social constructionist Steve de Shazer
family therapy which focuses on change & solutions over current problems and pathology
Based on premise that dysfunction develops from failed attempts at problem-solving
focuses on changing the family’s cognitions, or how they view the problem
Clients not naturally resistant to change but become “stuck” in problem-solving process
Language is used to imply change will take place, which make’s client’s expectant of change & therefore more willing to actually change
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Term
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Definition
interviewing technique in family therapy
involves asking each family member questions that help discover their perception of events and relationships within their family
allows therapist & family to hear multiple perspectives of different members, & serves to expose family patterns
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Term
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Definition
structural family therapy term coined by Minuchin
Occur when 2 or more individuals (the insiders) join together against another member of the family (the outsider).
May be stable, in which case they become dominant part of family’s everyday functioning, or detouring, in which coalition holds a third member of the family responsible for their difficulties &/or conflicts with one another
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Term
Deconstruction in Narrative Therapy |
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Definition
Term coined by Derrida
Literary works have no single meaning, & appropriated to narrative therapy to remind clients there is no one meaning or one set of assumptions that is “correct” for same event or experience
multitude of meanings or assumptions may be derived from same event
Deconstruction empowers clients to deal more competently with new views of reality and lead more satisfying lives; offers perspective
Ex: The therapist encouraged the client to see themselves from a variety of view points so that they could understand that they have control over their definition of self. |
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Term
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Definition
Bowen’s family systems theory
separation between an individual's thoughts and feelings
ability to differentiate thoughts and feelings helps an individual differentiate themselves from their family’s emotions and thoughts with their own
Better differentiated individuals are less prone to dysfunction
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Term
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Definition
structural family therapy developed by Minuchin
Occurs when boundaries in family system are too rigid
Rigid boundaries & subsequent disengagement occur when there is over-differentiation & individuation between family members, resulting in loss of “we” of family
Disengagement results in feelings of isolation and disconnectedness from each other
(Counterpart to enmeshment)
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Term
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Definition
family therapy term
Individual receives two conflicting orders from person w/ whom they have an ongoing important relationship
Individual feels that they cannot win no matter which order they obey, & not allowed to comment on situation in which they've been placed
Bateson and others hypothesized that this could cause severe pathology, like schizophrenia
Ex: Observing a family’s interaction, the therapist noticed that the mother put the son in a double-bind by telling him that she was open to him hugger her, when her body language clearly communicated he did not wish to be touched. |
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Term
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Definition
family therapy
Facilitating intervention in which family is asked by therapist to spontaneously enact their relationship patterns during therapy session
Allows therapist to observe family structure & ultimately develop a plan or new set of rules for restructuring family’s future interactions
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Term
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Definition
Structural family therapy, developed by Minuchin
Boundaries btw members in family system are too diffuse
Diffuse boundaries & subsequent enmeshment occurs when there is no differentiation or individuation between family members, resulting in the loss of “I” for each member
Family members are over-involved & over-concerned w/ each other’s lives
(Counterpart to disengagement)
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Term
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Definition
Systems theory
State of disorganization & disorder to which closed systems may gradually regress bc they lack
Family system whose boundaries are not easily crossed & who is not receiving feedback outside family may be ineffective, fearful, or confused during crises
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Term
Experiential Family Therapy (tenets of) |
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Definition
Family therapy pioneered by Carl Whitaker
Emphasizes non-rational therapeutic experience as only thing that can effect change in family
Pragmatic, non-theoretical approach to psychotherapy seeking to depathologize human behavior & replace preplanned therapeutic techniques w/ therapist’s spontaneous activity
Therapist uses their self as a tool in order to effectively engage the families
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Term
Externalization Technique |
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Definition
Michael White, Part of Narrative therapy
Therapist helps family recognize problem as separate from their selves
Deconstructs problem as internal deficiency or pathological condition & redefines as objectified external deficiency
Family is then encouraged to unite against the externalized Problem
Ex: A family came to therapy because the mother was depressed and the family was blaming her for not fulfilling her motherly/wifely duties. In an effort to externalize the problem, the therapist asked the mother, “What do you think Depression’s purpose is in invading your life like this?”. |
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Term
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Definition
Family systems theory, Bowen
Family member or members are not differentiated from each other & are therefore drawn to each other’s emotions & anxiety
Individuals fused w/ families have trouble differentiating thoughts/feelings from their family's
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Term
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Definition
Bowen & his followers, Family Systems therapy
Schematic diagram of family’s relationship system
In the form of a generic tree and usually includes at least three generations
Therapists may use to trace recurring patterns within the family
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Term
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Definition
Family therapy
Dynamic state of balance or equillibrium in the family
Homeostatic mechanisms within family work to self-regulate family to maintain stability and resist change
Therapist may find themselves fighting against homeostatic mechanisms to change the family system
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Term
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Definition
Minuchin’s structural family therapy
Therapeutic tactic in which therapist joins family as kind of “distant relative” by engaging it’s separate members & subsystems
Becoming a nonpermanent but concerned member of the family allows therapist to gain access to family system & to help identify & modify dysfunctional aspects of system
In order to join, therapist may mimic family’s manner & style (i.e., language) in order to solidify their status as a member of the family
Avoids attacking defensive mechanisms, while simultaneously helping family to engage in progressive communication
Ex: (therapist joins & uses confirmation, validating realities of members, to points out positives) |
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Term
Multigenerational Transmission Process |
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Definition
Bowen
1 of 8 interlocking concepts in family systems theory
Process, occurring over multiple generations, in which poorly differentiated individuals marry similarly differentiated mates, ultimately resulting in offspring suffering from severe mental disorders
Bowen believed severe dysfunction is the result of chronic anxiety transmitted over several generations
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Term
Narrative Therapy (tenets of) |
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Definition
Michael White, family therapy
Based on the premise that our sense of reality is organized & maintained by stories we tell ourselves about who we are & the world we live in
Family’s problems develop as result of negative, self-defeating, dead-ended narratives that they tell themselves about their lives
Help the family construct alternative stories that offer new options & possibilities for future
Reject notion therapist is “expert”, believing clients have skills needed to construct more positive stories about themselves
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Term
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Definition
Therapeutic technique, Strategic model of Family Therapy
Clients are put in double bind by therapist who gives family/client a firm directive which they actually want resisted; through resisting the therapist, change is accomplished
Intervention typically used w/ families or clients resistant to change or defiant of the therapist
(Another term for“reverse psychology”)
Ex: A client is afraid to disappoint others around them and always puts others first, even though this is hurting the client financially and about to have to file for bankruptcy. The therapist uses the paradoxical intervention technique, telling the client to always put others’ needs before their own, even if this means financial failure. |
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Term
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Definition
Bowen’s Family Systems therapy
Questions designed to help family members think about their own reactions to what others are doing & saying
Help family differentiate–to think logically & not emotionally
Redirects family members away from blaming each other & focuses them on thinking about their part in contributing to family’s problems
Ex: Therapist: "When your husband doesn't return your calls, what goes on inside you?"
Wife: "I get scared. And then I feel disrespected." Therapist: "And how does that manifest?" Wife: "I withdraw from him." Therapist: "What are you trying to tell him when you do that?" Wife: "That I'm hurt." Therapist: "Does it work?" |
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Term
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Definition
Therapeutic technique
Therapist changes original meaning of situation or event by offering equally plausible explanation
Alters context in which situation or event is perceived & invites new responses to the same behavior
May put more positive spin on a negative interpretation, or it may simply provide the client(s) with an alternative way of viewing something/further perspective
Ex: A client comes to therapy complaining about their mother, who they say is intrusive and always setting them up on dates and giving them advice. The clinician reframed the situation by offering the explanation that perhaps the mother was trying to be helpful instead of just annoying, as a loving, rather than harmful, gesture. |
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Term
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Definition
Ackerman, Psychodynamic model of Family Therapy
Individual in family who is blamed & punished for all of the family’s problems in attempt to resolve
Scapegoat is typically the identified patient, or reason family initially comes to therapy
Ex: (Brother committed suicide because of sister's allegations of molestation–family's story/blaming–helps them to relieve anxiety & grief associated with mother & other brother being actually there with him, using the drug that killed him.) |
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Term
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Definition
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Questions that ask client to quantify perception of a situation, often by rating on scale from 0 to 10
Repeatedly using scaling questions can allow therapist & client to measure change & set goals that seem manageable
Help clients develop positive outlook & move toward achievement of goals
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Term
Structural Family Therapy (tenets of) |
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Definition
Minuchin
Change in family structure or organization is necessary for an individual’s symptoms to be relieved (as the symptoms are best understood in the context of family transaction patterns)
Therapist must provide direct leadership in changing structure or context in which symptom is embedded
To achieve change in a family, structuralists believe there must be clearly defined generational boundaries, alignments btw parental subsystem about key issues, & rules related to power and authority
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Term
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Definition
Minuchin, Structural Family Therapy
Process in which child becomes caught between their two parents, w/ both parents demanding the child ally w/ them against the other parent.
Typically occurs when parents are having trouble resolving things between themselves
Produces “no-win” situation for child, as siding w/ one parent leads to other parent feeling attacked
(Triangulation is similar to Bowen’s concept of triangles)
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Term
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Definition
Structural Family Therapy
Therapist attempts to change hierarchical relationship between members of system or subsystem by appearing to support one member of family
Upsets family’s homeostasis & makes an initial move toward changing pre-existing family patterns, now made less rigid
Ex:(therapist points to son's good behavior in looking out so well for his father in his old age & much of the rest of the family at that. Father is patriarch & dominant, but therapist upset the hierarchy with the unbalancing technique in order to be able to really begin effecting change.) |
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