Assessing Families and Couples From Symptom to System

by Minuchin, Salvador; Nichols, Michael N.A; Lee, Wai Yung

• ISBN13: 9780205470129
• ISBN10: 0205470122
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-23
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Overview A step-by-step guide to assessing couples and families, this text offers a clear delineation of the process of family therapy through richly illustrated case material, featuring clients from a diversity of backgrounds. Appealing to both new and experienced therapists, Assessing Families and Couples portrays a clear picture of what occurs in a two-session model in conducting a family therapy assessment. The text begins with a brief historical review of family therapy and continues with a detailed explanation of the authorsrs" four-step assessment model. The assessment model is illustrated by a series of thoroughly detailed case studies, featuring African-American, European, Latin-American, Spanish, Irish, and Chinese families. Students and instructors alike will find this book an invaluable tool for the learning and teaching of family therapy assessment. What Reviewers are Saying "Given the reputation and standing of these authors in the history of family therapy, I will definitely take a look at this new book. First, to have the opportunity to be in essence "in the room" with Dr. Minuchin and be privy to each and every interaction is invaluable! The demonstration of various and significant family therapy concepts as the sessions unfold are such a powerful learning opportunity. This is true for all of the cases. "The Four Step model for assessing families and couples is an especially significant contribution for a teaching and learning tool in working with students who may be new to family social work practice. I am especially drawn to the richness the cases provide for making the theory and actual practice skills come alive." Chrystal Barranti, California State University, Sacramento [ Insert MyHelpingLab Advertisement ]

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Introduction: A Four-Step Model for Assessing Families and Couples	p. 1
A Short Review of the Evolution of Family Therapy	p. 1
An Equally Short Review of the Evolution of Structural Family Therapy	p. 3
The Therapist's Style 50 Years Later	p. 5
Nonverbal Interventions	p. 6
The Use of Metaphor	p. 6
A Map for Assessing Families and Giving Directions to Therapy	p. 8
A Four-Step Model of Family Assessment	p. 9
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 9
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 9
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 10
An Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 11
One Last Moment of Reflection	p. 12
A Word About the Therapist	p. 13
Troubled Children and Their Parents	p. 15
The Parentified Child	p. 19
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 20
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 21
Second Session	p. 24
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 25
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 27
Coda	p. 31
Therapeutic Framework	p. 32
Family Organization	p. 32
Individual Perspectives	p. 32
Strategies of Intervention	p. 33
Techniques	p. 33
Conflictual Couple/Triangulated Children	p. 35
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 36
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 38
Second Session	p. 40
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 41
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 45
Coda	p. 46
Therapeutic Framework	p. 46
Family Organization	p. 46
Individual Perspectives	p. 47
Strategies of Intervention	p. 47
Techniques	p. 48
Stepfamilies	p. 51
The Teenager Who Was a Liar	p. 55
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 56
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 57
Second Session	p. 61
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 61
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 65
Coda	p. 46
Therapeutic Framework	p. 66
Family Organization	p. 66
Individual Perspectives	p. 67
Strategies of Intervention	p. 67
Techniques	p. 67
Three Dyads Are Less Than a Whole Family	p. 69
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 69
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 73
Second Session	p. 77
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 77
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 81
Coda	p. 84
Therapeutic Framework	p. 84
Family Organization	p. 84
Individual Perspectives	p. 85
Strategies of Intervention	p. 85
Techniques	p. 86
Complementary Couples	p. 87
Agitated Depression in an Adult Woman	p. 91
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 91
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 97
Notes About the Session	p. 102
Second Session	p. 102
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 102
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 104
Reflections	p. 106
Therapeutic Framework	p. 106
Family Organization	p. 106
Individual Perspectives	p. 107
Strategies of Intervention	p. 107
Techniques	p. 107
The Woman Whose Hands Were Always Dirty	p. 109
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 110
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 112
Second Session	p. 114
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 114
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 115
Reflections	p. 116
Therapeutic Framework	p. 116
Family Organization	p. 116
Individual Perspectives	p. 116
Strategies of Intervention	p. 117
Techniques	p. 117
Psychosomatic Families	p. 119
Oedipus with Stomach Cramps	p. 123
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 124
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 128
Second Session	p. 131
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 131
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 135
Therapeutic Framework	p. 136
Family Organization	p. 136
Individual Perspectives	p. 137
Strategies of Intervention	p. 137
Techniques	p. 138
A Young Chinese Man with Anorexia Nervosa	p. 139
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 139
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 142
Second Session	p. 148
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 149
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 154
Reflections	p. 156
Therapeutic Framework	p. 157
Family Organization	p. 157
Individual Perspectives	p. 157
Strategies of Intervention	p. 157
Techniques	p. 157
The Family and Social Services	p. 159
Three Generations of Women	p. 165
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 165
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 168
Second Session	p. 170
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 171
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 175
Coda	p. 179
Therapeutic Framework	p. 180
Family Organization	p. 180
Individual Perspectives	p. 180
Strategies of Intervention	p. 181
Techniques	p. 181
Residual Treatment of Drug Addiction and the Family	p. 183
Opening Up the Presenting Complaint	p. 184
Highlighting Problem-Maintaining Interactions	p. 186
Second Session	p. 192
A Structurally Focused Exploration of the Past	p. 192
Exploration of Alternative Ways of Relating	p. 197
Coda	p. 198
Therapeutic Framework	p. 198
Family Organization	p. 198
Individual Perspectives	p. 199
Strategies of Intervention	p. 199
Techniques	p. 200
Epilogue	p. 201
Index	p. 205
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