...Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family Therapy Paper Dindy Williams BSHS/312 APRIL 4, 2011 Sharla Hansen Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family Therapy Paper The Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family Systems was developed in an attempt to bridge the gap between research, theory and practice. The model, together with the assessment tools developed to use with it, are specially designed to assess the functionality of families and develop a treatment plan. The hypothesis of the Circumplex Model is that balanced couple and family systems tend to function better than unbalanced systems. Cohesion, flexibility, and communication are the three dimensions of the Circumplex model. These dimensions were the ones most commonly used out of a cluster of over 50 different concepts describing marital and family structure. A variety of other family models independently focused on similar variables relating to cohesion, flexibility, and communication. These models have been developed in the past 25 years by theorists using a family systems perspective. The theorists concluded that these dimensions were critical to treating families. “Family cohesion is defined as the emotional bonding that family members have towards one another” (Olsen, D. H., 2000, May). Emotional bonding, boundaries, coalitions, time space, friends, decision making, interests, and recreation are some of the concepts used to measure the degree of cohesion within the Circumplex Model. The focus of cohesion is how...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
... Ron Muchnik Family Therapy Models One of the family systems therapy models that I chose to research is Family Systems Therapy. Family Systems Therapy looks at the family as an emotional unit. The Family Systems approach is based on idea that families and their patterns of communication and interaction directly affect human beings and how they function. When applied to families, Family Systems Therapy allows therapists to evaluate the parts of a system (family) in relation to the whole. This theory further suggests that an individual’s behavior is informed by and inseparable from the functioning of his or her family of origin (GoodTherapy.org, 2007-2015). The second family systems therapy that I chose to research was Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is based on the premise that therapists help the client or family focus and understand on the solution(s) to their problem(s) instead of understanding the problem(s) itself. SFBT ultimate goal is to create a solution based on the solution of the problem while empowering clients or members of the families to build their self-esteem and independence. In this type of therapy it is imperative that the therapist disregard their own worldview and adapt to their clients or families worldview. The goals for the family in SFBT should be definitive, small, positive, and important to the client or family (Cepeda & Davenport, 2006). Family Systems Therapy Family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit...
Words: 1449 - Pages: 6
...Meeting for Staff Member with Anger Jennifer Ford, Lillian Webster, Mekala Marbella, Vicki Tipton, Terrilyne Kabua, Arabel Perez University of Phoenix CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY: I certify that the attached paper, which was produced for the class identified above, is my original work and has not previously been submitted by me or by anyone else for any class. I further declare that I have cited all sources from which I used language, ideas and information, whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, and that any and all assistance of any kind, which I received while producing this paper, has been acknowledged in the References section. This paper includes no trademarked material, logos, or images from the Internet, which I do not have written permission to include. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature. Student's signature (name typed here is equivalent to a signature): Jennifer Ford, Lillian Webster, Mekala Marbella, Vicki Tipton, Arabel Perez,Terrilyne Kabua , Meeting for Staff Member with Anger Jennifer Ford, Lillian Webster, Mekala Marbella, Vicki Tipton, Arabel Perez, Terrilyne Kabua BSHS/322 January 29, 2011 Tristram Jones Staff Member with Negative Conduct Currently there is anger executed from a staff member who hinders others performances during work because of frictions he causes during proceedings. This member is making relationships...
Words: 3501 - Pages: 15
...work submitted in each course must be your own original work. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by your instructor. Knowingly submitting another person’s work as your own, without properly citing the source of the work, is considered plagiarism. This will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course. It may also result in academic dismissal from the University. MFT5105 | Asha Sutton | | | Recovery-Oriented Care & Postmodern Family Therapy | Recovery Model in MFT | <Add student comments here> ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Faculty Use Only ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- The definition of the recovery model is not clear in the mental health field. Professionals of the mental health field cannot agreed when it comes to the recovery method. Some...
Words: 1742 - Pages: 7
...Introduction to Family Counseling CJHS425-1503A-01 Phase 3 Individual Project Tauni Caldwell Instructor: Dr. Goldstein July 28, 2015 Family therapy brings forth the dynamics of each role that members play within the family. Your family structure is very important to maintain and keep healthy and family therapy works to keep the family stable, prepare the family for a major life change such as divorce, remarriage, a move or death. Family therapy is used to resolve a specific issue that someone outside of the family can help with better than then members involved as sometimes it is difficult for members to determine what their role is and how to have proper cohesion with their loved ones as we are all emotional people. There are several models used to address families, depending on the situation and what they are needing to improve. This particular model is called structural family therapy (SFT), this model is a method of psychotherapy developed by Salvador Minuchin which addresses problems in functioning within the family. SFT is slightly different from the usual techniques of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy within family therapy. The usual models suggest the family is a unit that operates within larger systems, such as culture, the community, and organizations. The goal is for this particular system to grow and change overtime, but sometimes a family gets “stuck,” often resulting from behavioral...
Words: 823 - Pages: 4
...Structural Approach to Family Counseling Beverly Manning COUN 601 – Marriage and Family Counseling I Liberty University July 5, 2013 ABST RACT Families are always growing and changing. They are considered living systems made up of many components. If families can’t adjust to change, the capability of the family and its individual members can be compromised. Structural family therapy (SFT) is a therapeutic approach that identifies that families have a lot of strengths. SFT tries to push families past dysfunctional patterns of interaction. This report details the application of the structural family therapy model, and I will specify my own therapeutic technique and explain how I would include faith into my counseling sessions. Structural Approach to Family Counseling One of the most important goals of a therapist is to understand how a family works. The family therapy movement has had the daunting task of trying to uncover the many facets of the family. Family therapy is full of many different approaches from psychoanalysis to the narrative approach. Each approach has been able to uncover a new aspect of the family. According to Nicholas (1999), the structural family therapy has had a significant impact on family therapy by introducing concepts of family hierarchy and boundaries. This allowed for the introduction to the idea of family as a new and organized strategy to cope...
Words: 3701 - Pages: 15
...Structural family therapy (SFT) is a method of psychotherapy developed by Salvador Minuchin which addresses problems in functioning within a family. Structural Family Therapists strive to enter, or "join", the family system in therapy in order to understand the invisible rules which govern its functioning, map the relationships between family members or between subsets of the family, and ultimately disrupt dysfunctional relationships within the family, causing it to stabilize into healthier patterns.[1] Minuchin contends that pathology rests not in the individual, but within the family system. SFT utilizes, not only a special systems terminology, but also a means of depicting key family parameters diagrammatically. Its focus is on the structure of the family, including its various substructures. In this regard, Minuchin is a follower of systems and communication theory, since his structures are defined by transactions among interrelated systems within the family. He subscribes to the systems notions of wholeness and equifinality, both of which are critical to his notion of change. An essential trait of SFT is that the therapist actually enters, or "joins", with the family system as a catalyst for positive change. Joining with a family is a goal of the therapist early on in his or her therapeutic relationship with the family. Structural and Strategic therapy are important therapeutic models to identify as many therapists use these models as the bases for treatment. Each model has its...
Words: 1894 - Pages: 8
...Family Counseling Approach Research Gestalt Family Therapy Gretchen Thomas Liberty University Abstract Not every client will be of the Christian faith. With that known, proper integration of psychology, spirituality and theology is imperative to have a successful and healthy therapeutic relationship. There are many theorists with distinctively diverse approaches. The Gestalt experiential family therapy process allows professionals the flexibility to individualize their procedures while maintaining an unyielding theoretical background. The way one views integration has a lot to do with their worldview, which determines their use or lack of use of spiritual methods in counseling as well as help the professional deal with on-Christian counselees. This manuscript provides a synopsis of the history of the Gestalt experiential family therapy framework, the leading figures, and in conclusion an overview of how a personal worldview interacts with the Gestalt theory. keywords: Gestalt, integration, experiential family therapy, worldview Family Counseling Approach Research Gestalt Family Therapy Introduction The experiential model or experiential approach to family therapy has many innovators. The symbolic experiential approach pioneered by Carl Whitaker highlights how the therapist provides counselees different ways to accept and deal with issues (Goldenberg and Goldenberg, 2013). Satir (1967) emphasizes the importance...
Words: 3103 - Pages: 13
... Structural Therapy was first recognized by Salvador Minuchin in the structural school of counseling back in 1974. Minuchin observed that families developed patterns within the family that resulted in structure. Each family operates with transactional patterns that represent a system. Structure is a mutual agreements made between people until someone decides that they want to go in another direction. Families have a process of verbal and nonverbal communication that amongst family members makes it easy to understand. The goal of structural therapy is to transform dysfunctional family structures by creating imbalance. The attempt is done by the therapist to influence the family into positive change. Ultimately, the goal for the family is to focus on having change to better balance. Family-Directed Structural Therapy (FDST) is an approach to family therapy built upon traditional concepts of Structural Family Therapy, the strengths model, and group work therapy. This therapy is focused on a multicultural population in the Midwest being researched the last 12 years. The diversity that the Midwest had was one of the better options for observation having the different cultures. Sessions are set and timed as the initial assessment generally requires one 90 minute session and then seven to nine sessions with a therapist. Therapist assists the family in incorporating the process and vocabulary of FDST into their everyday lives. Within the sessions the families take they must...
Words: 453 - Pages: 2
...are one of the major objectives of family counseling (Atwood , 1995 . Family counseling may help in promoting better relationship and understanding within a family (Berg , Sperry Carlson , 1999 . All families have conflicts or disagreements at times , and resolving their differences in a positive manner with respect to the interest and needs of each member is possible with the aid of family counseling approaches (Berg , Sperry Carlson 1999 . Different types of family counseling therapy can help in improving the lives of each family member with focus on different orientations , including the past family origin and early life difficulties , the present happenings which may either be satisfactory or unsatisfactory , their thoughts , behaviors , and emotions (Berg , Sperry Carlson , 1999 What causes the pain in the lives of family can be healed and have great potential to move into more productive ways through different family therapy approaches (Eisenberg , J Wahrman , 1991 . The Psychodynamic or Transgenerational Models , Cognitive Behavioral or Behavioral Models and Structural /Strategic /MRI Models are some of the more well-known family counseling approaches that will be explored and analyzed in this study (Eisenberg , J Wahrman , 1991 . Comparing and contrasting the Cognitive Behavioral Models of family therapy with other major models of family therapy can help better understand the family system 's boundaries , complementarities , family ties , capacity for change , and ability...
Words: 299 - Pages: 2
...Liberty University Abstract As the world looks at the reality of communal exchange, thumbing back to historical debates of empirical and rational schools of thought, delineations from dualism to social interchange and collaboration refine hypothesis’ of undisputable truth. Reminiscent of the psychoanalytic movement with greats such as Freud, Jung and Adler, therapy, more of an art than science, and current day philosophies drive which models influence today’s truth. Reality is fashioned by language, how we feel, act and think, revealing “stories” we tell the self as contextual meanings. These beliefs now evolve one’s creation and truth. The therapist, joining in recognition of new perspectives, empowers and helps the client see that forward progress is strength within oneself. In a social constructivist point of view, the therapist detaches from the expert status of defining the problem. From family therapy and the multicultural lens, therapists now challenge cultural factors that, in turn, shape the client’s perceptions in the format of brief therapies. Keywords: brief therapies, collaborative, family therapy, social constructionism Postmodern Approach to Social Constructivism In the 21st century a paradigm shift motivated the field of psychology to unlock a fresh world view revealing the objet d'art of collective exchange. Referring to the modernistic creation of self, it is said that the anthropological essence and the search for truth is being reworked...
Words: 4358 - Pages: 18
...Recovery Model in MFT Steven W. Place Northcentral University Recovery Model in MFT The Recovery Model Introduction If the famous quote by Heraclitus, “The only thing that is constant is change,” is true, then one must wonder how the mental health field resisted change for so long. In light of the modern age, characterized by scientific methodologies, the mental health field advanced rapidly. Amazingly, the human condition could be put to test, understood and categorized. Sadly, anything falling outside the “norm” became “abnormal.” Once a person was identified as “abnormal,” they were the lucky recipients of a label they carried with them for life, or until they “recovered.” Mental health labels carry with them a certain stigma that communicates to the person they are different, perhaps less of a person and that “normal” may never be a reality with their “illness.” Recovery would be based on becoming symptom-free, or at the very least, a significant reduction in symptoms (Gehart, 2012). The mental health field has experienced tremendous growth in terms of understanding the plethora of conditions people experience, as well as in treatment of those conditions. However, one thing remained unchanged until recently. The idea behind recovery shifted from coercive treatment to person-centered change (Onken, et al, 2007). Gehart states is this way, “instead of using the medical paradigm of disease, the recovery paradigm approached mental “illness” using a social model of disability...
Words: 1959 - Pages: 8
...Introduction Structural family therapy (SFT) is a method of psychotherapy developed by Salvador Minuchin which addresses problems in functioning within a family. Therapeutic interventions for troubled families often sound and appear unusual or abstract, such as Structural Family Therapy. This isn’t a name that instantly rolls off your tongue or a therapy you hear used frequently in the press or in movies, such as the more ubiquitous techniques of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. But SFT is similar to other types of therapies categorized under the psychological framework of family systems therapy. These types of therapies view the family unit as a system that lives and operates within larger systems, such as a culture, the community, and organizations. This system – ideally – grows and changes over time. But sometimes a family gets stuck, often resulting from behavioral or mental health issues of one of its family members. Rather than focus on the individual’s pathology, however, SFT considers problems in the family’s structure, a dysfunction in the way the family interacts or operates. SFT does not maintain that the family’s interactions, or “transactions” cause the pathology, but rather that the family’s transactions support or encourage the symptoms. Transactions are simply patterns of how family members routinely interact with each other. For example, a mother’s transaction with her daughter could be controlling and overprotective, or an older brother’s transaction with...
Words: 1151 - Pages: 5
...Solution Focused Family Therapy for Families Coping With Suicide The Relevance of Applying This Technique to the Population Solution focused family therapy refers to a therapy model that helps clients work out on family problems by taking into considerations the resources they already have and the effective solutions they applied previously (Castro & Guterman, 2008). The therapeutic technique is based on the supposition that the clients already know the solution to their problems. The technique is a comprehensive counseling model that integrates most of the contents that fall in line with the client’s observation. The solution focused family therapy is relevant to populations contemplating suicide because of a number of reasons. For instance, the nature of solution focused therapy technique to dwell on the strengths of the client has been as a result of studies that hint that families dealing with suicide cases have natural resiliency. This implies that solution focused therapy technique works on proven strengths of families dealing with suicide issues. Therefore, the probability of failure is very minimal considering that the outcomes are already premeditated. Similarly, this family therapy model is relevant for families tackling suicide issues because it enables therapists and counselors to personalize treatment to their clients by using a series of techniques thus nurturing a more supportive approach (Castro & Guterman, 2008). These two features...
Words: 880 - Pages: 4
...Family Counseling Theory Family therapy in a nutshell is a form of therapy in which the counselor works with the entire family at once instead of individual members. Often, a family therapist will even reschedule a session if one or more members of the family aren't present. The essential theory behind family therapy is that a family is a system made up of parts and a problem with one of the parts affects the entire system. Families try to maintain stability, if one member of the family does anything out of the "norm" for that particular family; the other members of that family will fight against him or her to bring things back the way they used to be. This is problematic, especially if one member of the family is in therapy and learns new coping styles, yet the family is fighting their healthy changes. The theory that will be addressed is that of Virginia Satir. Virginia Satir was considered the Mother of Family Therapy. (Wikipedia) Satir is a Wisconsin native raised on a farm in Neillsville. At an early age, Satir was intrigued by the family and she knew intuitively that there was more that went on in families than was apparent to the naked eye. Her family moved to Milwaukee, WI in order for her to attend high school. Later she attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College, which is now called University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Satir went on to publish Conjoint Family Therapy, Peoplemaking and The New Peoplemaking (Margarita Suarez/Virginia Satir Global Network) just...
Words: 1443 - Pages: 6
