Part I: Overview of family and family dynamics. (2-3 pages)
A. Review the current family system, household composition, and any other information relevant to the case analysis. Succinctly describe the presenting problem/s as defined by the family (when did it start, who does it affect, what are the beliefs about what caused it, what has been tried to resolve the issue?).
B. Discuss the central social/cultural characteristics of the family, and use relevant literature to discuss how these attributes are strengths and/or vulnerabilities. Highlight the particular dimensions of the family that would influence your approach to working with the family
C. Begin to point toward the factors your family therapy model would attend to in this case (e.g. sibling birth order for Bowen, sequences of problems for Strategic, etc.). Use relevant literature to discuss how these family system attributes are strengths and/or vulnerabilities and how the family constellation contributes to, or helps mediate, the presenting problem/s.
Part II: Analysis of the family through the lens of a family therapy models. (3-5 pages)
- Apply the material to the family- do not write in generalities about the theories/ models (of course you may include some of that material in order to explain why/ how you are applying the model with the family). Show you understand how the model applies to your
- Family Therapy Models Examples Include: Strategic; Structural; Bowenian; Solution Focused; Narrative Family Therapy; Object Relations Family Therapy; & Social Learning/Cognitive.
Family Therapy Model – Address the following:
A. Conceptualization
Succinctly describe how the family therapy model would conceptualize the problem.
B. Engagement
Review strategies that you might use to engage this family system in a supportive relationship. How would you explain the approach you will use to the family? What socio-cultural aspects will you attend to while working on engaging the client/family?
C. Assessment
Discuss the assessment process and findings. How would you structure the assessment? Would you be meeting with the entire family each session? What information would you seek? What types of questions would you use? How would you share the findings of your assessment with the family?
D. Interventions
Review interventions that may be used with this client. Select at least two interventions and discuss them in detail. Explain not just the general ideas of intervention from this model, but specifically how you would use the two interventions with this family directed toward their specific presenting concerns.
E. Evaluation and Termination
How would you know the therapy had been effective? What information would guide you in continuing interventions with this family, changing approaches, or terminating services? How would you discuss termination/ consolidation with the family?
Part III: Analysis (1-2 pages)
A. Briefly explain if you believe the model fits with the family’s presenting problem/s, needs, socio-cultural context, and history and why.
B. Discuss any limitations you see in how the model conceptualizes or intervenes in the family’s issues.
C. Address how comfortable you would be implementing the treatment approach. Where would your challenges and comforts be located?
Family Therapy Case Analysis Paper RUBRIC:
2.5 points Part I- Overview of client/ family and presenting problems (completeness, succinctness)
15 points Part II
- Conceptualization – A clear understanding of the model and its application is demonstrated.
- Engagement- Accurate use of the model’s framework/ Application to the family’s unique material/Attention to socio-cultural material.
- Assessment- Application of the model’s assessment approach/ Attention to gathering information that fits the model.
- Intervention- Identifying the model’s preferred interventions appropriately/ Accurate description of implementation of the model’s interventions.
- Evaluation and Termination/Consolidation- Evaluating goal accomplishment/ Aspects of termination/ consolidation/ Concerns about termination
2.5 points Part III
- Analysis of fit between family therapy model and family needs.
- Limitations of the model are discussed
- Student’s ability to identify challenges/utilize mode
5 points Writing
- Syntax, Grammar, Clarity of Writing
- References and APA compliance
- Correct Types of References
Important Considerations
Excellent papers address relevant course concepts, are well-written and well-organized, use formal English, demonstrate a masterful ability to analyze the concepts and issues learned in this course, and show evidence of critical thinking. Excellent papers identify client’s strengths as well as their challenges.
Critical analysis requires that you: state/identify concepts, reference and cite sources, provide examples and definitions, discuss/analyze how examples illustrate the concept (or differ from the norm), integrate across course and other academic material, and consider implications.
For this assignment I will use my colleague at work Irene who has gone through separation with her husband due to abuse of drugs. Separation refers to the situation when two people man and female who had been legally married are no longer living together, however they have not legally dissolved their marriage. Separation of married people is common problems affecting many families across United States. The case of Irene is not exceptional there other people undergoing same family problems over the world. Irene has separated with her husband whom they have been married for the last ten years. Irene family has been experiencing separation problems for the last five months now when issue started. Despite her efforts to have good family she has accepted that separation is necessary for the last five months now.
The problems of separation between Irene and her husband mostly have affected their two children negatively in several ways. Since their children are aged below ten years they do not understand separation of the parents. Drug abuse has been singled out as the main reasons for separation between Irene and her husband. Particularly excessive consumption of alcohol by husband been blamed for problems facing Irene family. As result of drug by Irene family has gone through hard times both financially and emotionally. The husband has not been in a position to hold any kind for job because of absenteeism and poor performance. He has not been able to pay bills for the family as well has provision of necessities of life for their young family. It has remained a sole responsibility of Irene to take care of the family despite the fact that she married and they have been doing well in the past.
Due to use of drug Irene husband has caused so much frustration to the family. Sometimes Irene husband becomes violate because of influence of alcohol. These events are believed to be the main cause of separation between Irene and her husband. Guidance and Counselling has been tried to resolve the problem of separation between Irene and her husband however it not helped to overcome the problem. Also husband of Irene has undergone through mentorship program for the last few months to help him to come back to normal behavior however the problem does not seems to go away.
Social/cultural characteristics of the family of Irene are unique like any other family in American society. Irene family has Muslims background guided by Muslims values and belief. Irene family has been living with their extended family members since it’s their culture and beliefs. However Irene family has been living in United States for more than 20 years. Irene family is middle class which has been living in New Jersey. These characteristics are strengths when I will be working with the family since we share several trends. I have the advantage because we speak the same language and also understand her culture and the way family is supposed to be. Gender and time dimensions of the family will influence my approach to the family problem.
For the case of Irene separation with her husband sibling birth order for Bowen therapy will be the most important approach to be employed. Since the sibling birth order for Bowen has great influence on how people behave. The position of sibling birth defined unique characteristics which can be used as strength to ensure that positive results on this problem are achieved. Family constellation contributes to mediate for this situation since it gives more understanding of family system. It will give multiple generations which are not known to eliminate undesired trends which contribute to more problems.
There are number of the family therapy models which can be applied to solve Irene problem of separation. I will be meeting Irene and her husband regularly in their home so that I can observe how they are interacting and socializing with one another. I will be seeking the primary problems underlying within the family by asking questions. I will ask questions like, why they married one another? , If they truly love their family? They want their children to grow with both parents care? Why are they separating after being together more ten years? I will share my findings with the family. I will set interventions for the family to work toward overcoming through session.
To start with Structural Therapy will be one of the suitable models I will apply to solve this problem. Structural therapy involves study of interaction of family members and drawing the map on how the members of the family are relating to one another. Structural therapy of the of the model requires therapists to join and become part of the family so that he or she understand how the family is interacting with one another and come up with new family structure model (Colapinto, 2018). In other words the therapist is aiming at restructuring the family structure with the aim of solving the problem (Minuchin, 2017). According to structural family model the problems experienced by the family like Irene is an evidence of dysfunction within the family. For Irene case I will join the family and learn how she interacts with her husband and the children. I will investigate how her husband interacts with the children. How the power is distributed among the family of Irene. I will be able to come up with the new family structure that will promote best behavior that will stop Irene husband from separating. The new family structure will ensure that Irene husband has more time for the family which includes children. The new structure will not get enough time to going around drinking alcohol. From work he will be expected to adhere to the new structure of the family where boundaries of new interactions have been set. The new family structure it’s important since it will completely alter the behavior of Irene husband (Colapinto J. &., 2018). I have to stay with the family for while so that the new family structure can be part and parcel of their lives. This way Irene issue will be solved and separation will be the things of the past. The new family structure will discourage earlier behavior and create new life style where he will become more occupied with family new interactions styles. (Nichols, 2018 )
Additionally I will employ Strategic therapy to deal with separation problem of Irene and her husband. Strategic therapy refers to the process where therapist focus on specific problem, one by one and offering interventions to each of these family problems. Strategic therapy mainly focuses on the symptoms of underlying problems in the family that may not be seen natural. The repetition of the same signs will indicates there is an issue which needs to be addressed particularly.
I will interact with Irene family with her husband and the children to understand how they talk to one another whether Irene or the husband listen , or reject, or even interrupt the husband when they are talking. I will provide coaching interventions on how two are supposed to talk to one another in front of their children or when they are only two of them. I will offer directives they are supposed to follow in their communication. I will help Irene and her husband to set good and realistic goals they want to achieve their communication strategies which are aimed at solving their differences. Strategic therapy is important in ensuring that there is effective communication channel between Irene and her husband. Communication must have been ineffective where none of them was listening to another (Szapocznik, 2020). I will couch Irene and the husband on how they are supposed to communicate whenever they have difference or in normal situation. I will encourage them to develop good habitants when they can resolve their differences on different issues.
I will strategically focus on family hierarchy if is adhered to because there are symptoms Irene husband is isolated from the family. Isolation is the primary reasons why he is getting time for abusing drugs due to couple dysfunctionality. In the conflict between Irene and her husband the wife has displaced the position of her hand and look for the protection from the children. I will focus on coaching Irene to put more attention to the husband rather than children since this seems to be the cause of withdraws of the husband from the family (Anderson, 2019).
To add on that I will employ solution focused family therapy as another strategy I will solve the problem in the case of Irene and her husband. In this case I will be asking those well-constructed questions to understand their needs and what they want (Franklin, 2019). These constructed questions will help me to understand how to deal with their situation at home. Collected feedback will be used as evidence for offering best interventions. I will coach them to impress positive attitudes and behaviors so that they can come together as family rather than separations (Franklin C. Z., 2017).
I belief that those models will fits with the family’s presenting problems, needs, socio-cultural context since these strategies will investigate the problem between Irene and her husband and offer possible interventions. Effective interventions have been provided to ensure that long terms solutions is achieved. This is because they are aimed at changing the behavior of the couple. These strategies are practiced in the natural setting of the families no need to go for any training to following guidelines provided. Also the above family models are friendly to the family and implementing them is simple no extra cost. The strategies are focused on Irene and her husband who are involved in family separation. Each of them will understand needs and the important of following interventions given. Strategies will completely change the manners in which the Irene family interact and solve their disputes. These strategies have been proved scientific to work in helping families with such problems to achieve solutions.
However there are number of limitations which are likely to be faced with intervenes and strategies. The parties involved in these strategies that is Irene and husband are likely to pretend in the eyes of the therapist that everything is going in the right manners when actually things are not good. It’s hard for the therapist to notice if the two are pretending. Also it takes long time for the couple to restructure and adopt new family model offered by the therapist. I will be comfortable to learn and observe how the couple is interacting with one another under the supervision of therapist. Findings are also comfortable part of session. Even though there will be serious challenges in implementing treatment approach where partners are not willing to change. Also therapist do not spent all the time with the couple which poses challenge on their relationship when they are not supervised.
References
Anderson, A. R. (2019). Brief strategic family therapy: A systematic approach to addressing emerging clinical challenges across 40 years of model development.
Colapinto, J. ( 2018). Family Function and Dysfunction in Structural Family Therapy.
Colapinto, J. &. (2018). Complementarity in Structural Family Therapy. In Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy Springer, Cham., 1-3.
Franklin, C. B. ( 2019). Solution-focused brief family therapy.
Franklin, C. Z. (2017). Solution focused brief therapy: A systematic review and meta‐summary of process research. . Journal of marital and family therapy,, 43(1), 16-30.
Minuchin, S. &. (2017). Structural family therapy. In F. M. Dattilio (Ed.),. The Guilford family therapy series. Case studies in couple and family therapy: Systemic and cognitive perspectives . Guilford Press., 108–131.
Nichols, M. P. ( 2018 ). Enactment in Structural Family Therapy.
Szapocznik, J. &. (2020). Brief strategic family therapy. . American Psychological Association.