Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice

by Gladding, Samuel T.

• ISBN13: 9780130167200
• ISBN10: 0130167207
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE HALL

Summary

This best selling book has been thoroughly updated to reflect a current and in-depth look at the field of family therapy. It retains its unique approach of leading the reader developmentally from understanding how families function to using therapeutic techniques that will help them change. Extremely organized and well written, this edition offers comprehensive coverage of all major theories of family therapy as well as the latest information about associations dedicated to promoting family therapy and means by which therapists can best assist families in entering and being successful in treatment. A popular four-part format organizes content in a logical, developmental format: 1) Understanding Families, 2) Therapeutic Approaches to Working with Families, 3) Special Populations in Family Therapy, and 4) Professional Issues and Research in Family Therapy. For individuals with either a personal or professional interest in marriage and family counseling.

Author Biography

Samuel T. Gladding is professor of counselor education, director of the counselor education program, and the associate provost at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

PART ONE Understanding Families	1	(56)
Individual and Family Life Cycles	3	(28)
What Is a Family?	5	(1)
Types of Families	6	(2)
Individual and Family Development	8	(10)
Individual Life Cycle Development	9	(1)
Family Life Development	10	(8)
Unifying Individual and Family Life Cycles	18	(2)
Implications of Life Cycles for Family Therapy	20	(4)
Match of Life Cycles Between Family and Therapist	21	(1)
Ethnicity and Life Cycles	21	(1)
Illness and Life Cycles	22	(1)
Poverty, Professionalism, and Life Cycles	22	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	24	(2)
References	26	(5)
Healthy and Dysfunctional Characteristics of Families	31	(26)
The Family System and Health	32	(2)
Qualities of Healthy Families	34	(4)
Commitment	35	(1)
Appreciation	35	(1)
Willingness to Spend Time Together	35	(1)
Effective Communication Patterns	35	(1)
Religious/Spiritual Orientation	36	(1)
Ability to Deal with Crisis in a Positive Manner	36	(1)
Encouragement of Individuals	37	(1)
Clear Roles	37	(1)
Growth-Producing Structure and Development Patterns	37	(1)
Family Life Stressors	38	(3)
Expected Life Stressors	39	(1)
Unexpected Life Stressors	39	(2)
Family Structure and Functionality	41	(5)
Symmetrical/Complementary Families	42	(1)
Centripetal/Centrifugal Families	42	(1)
Cohesion/Adaptability	43	(3)
Coping Strategies of Families	46	(2)
Implications of Health in Working with Families	48	(2)
Strengthening Families Through Enrichment	50	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	51	(2)
References	53	(4)
PART TWO Therapeutic Approaches to Working with Families	57	(206)
Rationale and History of Family Therapy	59	(26)
The Rationale for Family Therapy	60	(1)
Reasons for Working with Families as Opposed to Working with Individuals	61	(1)
Family Therapy Through the Decades	62	(15)
Family Therapy: Before 1940	62	(2)
Family Therapy: 1940 to 1949	64	(1)
Family Therapy: 1950 to 1959	64	(2)
Family Therapy: 1960 to 1969	66	(3)
Family Therapy: 1970 to 1979	69	(4)
Family Therapy: 1980 to 1989	73	(2)
Family Therapy: 1990 to the Present	75	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	77	(4)
References	81	(4)
The Process of Family Therapy	85	(30)
The Personhood of Family Therapists	86	(1)
Common Problems of Beginning Family Therapists	87	(5)
Overemphasis	87	(2)
Underemphasis	89	(3)
Appropriate Process	92	(11)
Pre-Session Planning and Tasks	92	(2)
Initial Session(s)	94	(4)
Middle Phase of Treatment	98	(4)
Termination	102	(1)
Adlerian Family Therapy: An Example of Appropriate Process	103	(3)
Background of Adlerian Theory	104	(1)
Initial Session(s)	104	(1)
Middle Phase of Treatment	105	(1)
Termination	105	(1)
Managed Health Care and the Process of Therapy	106	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	107	(3)
References	110	(5)
Psychodynamic and Bowenian Family Therapies	115	(30)
Psychodynamic Family Therapy	117	(1)
Major Theorists	117	(1)
Nathan Ackerman	117	(1)
Premises of the Theory	118	(2)
Treatment Techniques	120	(2)
Transference	120	(1)
Dream and Daydream Analysis	120	(1)
Confrontation	121	(1)
Focusing on Strengths	121	(1)
Life History	121	(1)
Complementarity	122	(1)
Role of the Therapist	122	(1)
Process and Outcome	122	(1)
Unique Aspects of Psychodynamic Family Therapy	123	(3)
Emphases	123	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	124	(2)
Bowenian Family Therapy	126	(1)
Major Theorists	126	(1)
Murray Bowen	127	(1)
Premises of the Theory	127	(3)
Treatment Techniques	130	(3)
Genograms	130	(2)
Going Home Again	132	(1)
Detriangulation	132	(1)
Person-to-Person Relationships	132	(1)
Differentiation of Self	133	(1)
Asking Questions	133	(1)
Role of the Therapist	133	(1)
Process and Outcome	134	(1)
Unique Aspects of the Bowenian Family Therapy Approach	134	(3)
Emphases	134	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	135	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	137	(3)
References	140	(5)
Experimential Family Therapy	145	(26)
Major Theorists	146	(3)
Virginia Satir	146	(1)
Carl Whitaker	147	(2)
Premises of the Theory	149	(1)
Treatment Techniques	149	(10)
Modeling of Effective Communication Using ``I'' Messages	150	(2)
Sculpting	152	(1)
Choreography	152	(1)
Play Therapy	153	(1)
Filial Therapy	153	(1)
Humor	153	(1)
Touch	154	(1)
Props	154	(1)
Family Reconstruction	154	(3)
Family Drawings	157	(1)
Puppet Interviews	158	(1)
Role of the Therapist	159	(1)
Process and Outcome	160	(1)
Unique Aspects of Experiential Family Therapy	161	(4)
Emphases	161	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	162	(3)
Summary and Conclusion	165	(2)
References	167	(4)
Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapies	171	(28)
Major Theorists	173	(1)
Gerald Patterson	173	(1)
Neil Jacobson	173	(1)
Premises of the Theory	174	(2)
Types of Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapies	176	(5)
Behavioral Parent Training	176	(1)
Marriage/Couples Therapies and Education	176	(3)
Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctioning	179	(1)
Functional Family Therapy	180	(1)
Treatment Techniques	181	(6)
Education	181	(1)
Communication and Problem-Solving Strategies	182	(1)
Operant Conditioning	182	(1)
Contracting	182	(1)
Classical Conditioning	182	(1)
Coaching	183	(1)
Contingency Contracting	183	(1)
Extinction	183	(1)
Positive Reinforcement	184	(1)
Quid pro Quo	184	(1)
Reciprocity	184	(1)
Shaping	184	(1)
Systematic Desensitization	184	(1)
Time-Out	185	(1)
Charting	185	(1)
Premack Principle	185	(1)
Disputing Irrational Thoughts	186	(1)
Thought Stopping	186	(1)
Self-Instructional Training	186	(1)
Modeling and Role Playing	186	(1)
Role of the Therapist	187	(1)
Process and Outcome	187	(1)
Unique Aspects of Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches	188	(3)
Emphases	188	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	189	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	191	(3)
References	194	(5)
Structural Family Therapy	199	(20)
Major Theorists	200	(1)
Salvador Minuchin	200	(1)
Premises of the Theory	201	(4)
Treatment Techniques	205	(4)
Joining	205	(1)
Disequilibrium Techniques	206	(1)
Enactment	207	(1)
Working with Spontaneous Interaction	207	(1)
Boundary Making	207	(1)
Intensity	208	(1)
Restructuring	208	(1)
Shaping Competence	208	(1)
Diagnosing	209	(1)
Adding Cognitive Constructions	209	(1)
Role of the Therapist	209	(1)
Process and Outcome	210	(1)
Unique Aspects of Structural Family Therapy	210	(3)
Emphases	210	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	211	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	213	(2)
References	215	(4)
Strategic and Systemic Family Therapies	219	(22)
Strategic Family Therapy	221	(1)
Major Theorists	221	(1)
Jay Haley	221	(1)
Premises of the Theory	222	(1)
Treatment Techniques	223	(2)
Reframing	223	(1)
Directive	223	(1)
Paradox	224	(1)
Ordeals	224	(1)
Pretend	225	(1)
Positioning	225	(1)
Role of the Therapist	225	(1)
Process and Outcome	226	(1)
Unique Aspects of Strategic Family Therapy	226	(3)
Emphases	226	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	227	(2)
Systemic (Milan) Family Therapy	229	(1)
Major Theorists	229	(1)
Mara Selvini Palazzoli	229	(1)
Premises of the Theory	229	(1)
Treatment Techniques	230	(1)
Hypothesizing	230	(1)
Positive Connotation	230	(1)
Circular Questioning	230	(1)
Invariant/Variant Prescriptions	231	(1)
Rituals	231	(1)
Role of the Therapist	231	(1)
Process and Outcome	232	(1)
Unique Aspects of Systemic Therapy	232	(3)
Emphases	232	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	233	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	235	(3)
References	238	(3)
Solution-Focused and Narrative Family Therapies	241	(22)
Solution-Focused Family Therapy	242	(1)
Major Theorists	242	(2)
Steve deShazer	243	(1)
Bill O'Hanlon	243	(1)
Premises of the Theory	244	(1)
Treatment Techniques	245	(2)
Role of the Therapist	247	(1)
Process and Outcome	248	(1)
Unique Aspects of Solution-Focused Family Therapy	248	(3)
Emphases	248	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	249	(2)
Narrative Family Therapy	251	(1)
Major Theorists	251	(1)
Michael White	251	(1)
Premises of the Theory	252	(1)
Treatment Techniques	252	(2)
Externalization of the Problem	252	(1)
Influence (Effect) of the Problem on the Person	253	(1)
Influence (Effect) of the Person on the Problem	253	(1)
Raising Dilemmas	253	(1)
Predicting Setbacks	253	(1)
Using Questions	253	(1)
Letters	254	(1)
Celebrations and Certificates	254	(1)
Role of the Therapist	254	(1)
Process and Outcome	255	(1)
Unique Aspects of Narrative Family Therapy	255	(3)
Emphases	255	(1)
Comparison with Other Theories	256	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	258	(3)
References	261	(2)
PART THREE Special Populations in Family Therapy	263	(102)
Working with Single-Parent Families	265	(24)
Types of Single-Parent Families	266	(3)
Single Parenthood as a Result of Divorce	267	(1)
Single Parenthood as a Result of Death	267	(1)
Single Parenthood by Intent	267	(2)
Dynamics Associated with the Formation of Single-Parent Families	269	(3)
Dynamics of Single-Parent Families Formed Through Divorce	270	(1)
Dynamics of Single-Parent Families Formed Through Death	270	(1)
Dynamics of Single-Parent Families Formed Through Choice	271	(1)
Single-Parent Mothers and Fathers	272	(2)
Families of Single-Parent Mothers	272	(1)
Families of Single-Parent Fathers	273	(1)
Effects of Divorce and Death on Children	274	(1)
Children of Divorce	274	(1)
Children Who Lose a Parent by Death	275	(1)
Strengths and Challenges Connected with Single-Parent Families	275	(2)
Strengths of Single-Parent Families	276	(1)
Challenges of Single-Parent Families	276	(1)
Approaches for Treating Single-Parent Families	277	(3)
Family Theory Approaches	278	(1)
Other Approaches for Treating Single-Parent Families	279	(1)
Role of the Therapist	280	(1)
Process and Outcome	281	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	282	(3)
References	285	(4)
Working with Remarried Families	289	(26)
Forming Remarried Families	291	(3)
Common Concerns of Remarried Families	291	(1)
Dealing with the Death of a Parent	291	(1)
Dealing with the Divorce of a Couple	292	(2)
Making Healthy Adjustments in Remarried Families	294	(1)
Transitions for Children in Remarried Families	294	(1)
Transitions for Parents and Stepparents in Remarried Families	294	(1)
Dynamics Associated with Remarried Families	295	(1)
Issues Within Remarried Families	296	(1)
Strengths and Challenges of Remarried Families	297	(5)
Strengths of Remarried Families	297	(3)
Challenges of Remarried Families	300	(2)
Approaches for Treating Remarried Families	302	(2)
Guidance in Retaining Old Loyalties	302	(1)
Focus on Parental Involvement	302	(1)
Provide Education	302	(1)
Assist in the Creation of Family Traditions and Rituals	303	(1)
Apply Structural Family Therapy	303	(1)
Apply Experimential Family Therapy	304	(1)
Do Transgenerational Work	304	(1)
Role of the Therapist	304	(2)
Process and Outcome	306	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	307	(3)
References	310	(5)
Working with Culturally Diverse Families	315	(28)
What Is a Culture?	317	(1)
Dynamics Associated with Culturally Diverse Families	318	(1)
Issues Within Culturally Diverse Families	319	(3)
Sensitivity	319	(1)
Experience	320	(1)
Acceptance	320	(1)
Ingenuity	320	(1)
Specificity	320	(2)
Intervention	322	(1)
Approaches for Treating Culturally Diverse Families	322	(9)
Gay and Lesbian Families	322	(2)
African-American Families	324	(2)
Asian-American Families	326	(2)
Hispanic/Latino-American Families	328	(2)
Native-American Families	330	(1)
Guidelines for Selecting Treatment Approaches in Working with Culturally Diverse Families	331	(1)
Role of the Therapist	332	(1)
Process and Outcome	333	(1)
Initial Phase of Working with Culturally Diverse Families	333	(1)
Middle Phase of Working with Culturally Diverse Families	334	(1)
Final Phase of Working with Culturally Diverse Families	334	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	334	(4)
References	338	(5)
Working with Substance-Related Disorders, Domestic Violence, and Child Abuse in Families	343	(22)
Substance-Related Disorders and Families	344	(1)
Manifestation of Substance-Related Disorders	345	(1)
Family Manifestations	345	(1)
Individual Manifestations	346	(1)
Engaging Substance-Related Disorder Families in Treatment	346	(2)
Approaches for Treating Substance-Related Disorder Families After Engagement	348	(4)
Structural-Strategic Family Therapy	349	(1)
Bowenian Family Therapy	349	(1)
Behavioral Family Therapy	350	(1)
Adlerian Therapy	350	(1)
Multifamily Therapy	350	(1)
Use of Community Resources and Prevention	351	(1)
Domestic Violence and Families	352	(1)
Assessment of Domestic Violence	352	(3)
Approaches for Treating Domestic Violence	355	(3)
Conjoint or Couples Therapy	356	(1)
Intimate Justice	356	(2)
Educational Treatment	358	(1)
Child Abuse and Neglect in Families	358	(1)
Approaches for Treating Child Abuse and Neglect	359	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	360	(3)
References	363	(2)
PART FOUR Professional Issues and Research in Family Therapy	365	(60)
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Family Therapy	367	(28)
Overview of Ethics in Families and Family Therapy	368	(1)
Ethics and Values	369	(1)
How Do Values Influence Ethical Practice?	370	(1)
Guidelines for Making Ethical Decisions	370	(3)
Codes of Ethics	370	(1)
Educational Resources	371	(1)
Professional Consultation	372	(1)
Interaction with Colleagues and Supervisors	372	(1)
Common Ethical Concerns	373	(4)
Confidentiality	373	(1)
Gender Issues	374	(1)
Sex Between a Therapist and a Family Member	375	(1)
Theoretical Techniques	375	(1)
Multicultural Therapy Issues	376	(1)
Use of the Internet for On-Line Therapy	376	(1)
Addressing Unethical Behavior	377	(1)
Legal Issues in Family Therapy	377	(1)
The Legal System	378	(1)
Types of Law	379	(1)
Common Law	379	(1)
Statutory Law	379	(1)
Administrative (Regulatory) Law	379	(1)
Case Law (Court Decisions)	379	(1)
Civil Law Versus Criminal Law	379	(1)
Legal Situations That Involve Family Therapists	380	(1)
Expert Witness	380	(1)
Child Custody Evaluator	380	(1)
Reporter of Abuse	380	(1)
Court-Ordered Witness	381	(1)
Issues of Law in Family Therapy	381	(1)
Family/Divorce Mediation	382	(1)
Professional Identification as a Family Therapist	383	(4)
Organizations Associated with Family Therapy	383	(3)
Education of Family Therapists	386	(1)
Issues in Professional Identification	387	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	387	(4)
References	391	(4)
Research and Assessment in Family Therapy	395	(30)
Importance of Research in Family Therapy	397	(1)
Research Findings in Family Therapy	397	(1)
Two Types of Family Therapy Research	398	(2)
Difficulties in Family Therapy Research	400	(4)
Design	400	(1)
Sampling	401	(1)
Instrumentation	402	(1)
Procedure	402	(1)
Theory	403	(1)
Statistics	403	(1)
Validity/Reliability	404	(1)
The Importance of Assessing Families	404	(1)
Dimensions of Assessing Families	405	(1)
Methods Used in Assessing Families	406	(12)
Informal Methods of Assessing Families	406	(1)
Formal Methods of Assessing Families	406	(3)
Family Therapy Scales	409	(5)
Marital Therapy Scales	414	(4)
Summary and Conclusion	418	(3)
References	421	(4)
Appendix A AAMFT Code of Ethics	425	(7)
Appendix B Ethical Code for the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors	432	(6)
Glossary	438	(14)
Author Index	452	(8)
Subject Index	460

Excerpts

Philosophy Therapeutic work with families is a recent scientific phenomenon but an ancient art. Throughout human history, designated persons in all cultures have helped couples and families cope, adjust, and grow. In the United States, the interest in assisting families within a healing context is both a twentieth and twenty-first century movement. Family life has always been of interest, but because of economic, social, political, and spiritual values, outsiders made little direct intervention, outside of social work, into ways of helping family functioning until the 1920s. Now, there are literally thousands of professionals who focus their attention and skills on improving family dynamics and relationships. In examining how professionals work to assist families, the reader should keep in mind that there are as many ways of offering help as there are families. However, the most widely recognized methods are counseling, therapy, educational enrichment, and prevention. The general umbrella term for remediation work with families isfamily therapy.This concept includes the type of work done by family professionals who identify themselves by different titles including counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and clergy. Family therapyis not a perfect term; politically it gets bandied about by a number of professional associations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Association of Social Workers. Physicians who treat families also debate this term, as well as whether as doctors they are "family therapists" or engaged in the practice of medicine and therefore "family medical specialists." For purposes of this book, the generic termfamily therapyis used because of its wide acceptance among the public and professionals who engage in the practice of helping families. Within this term, some aspects of educational enrichment and prevention are included. Organization As a comprehensive text, this book focuses on multiple aspects of family therapy. Part One introduces the reader to the various ways in which families develop and the characteristics of healthy and dysfunctional families. Part Two examines the rationale and history of family therapy, its general processes, and the main theoretical approaches to working therapeutically with families: Adlerian/psychodynamic, Bowenian, experiential, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral, structural, strategic, systemic (Milan), solution focused, and narrative. Each theoretical chapter emphasizes the major theorists of the approach, premises, techniques, process/outcome, and unique aspects of the theory. A case illustration is provided also. Part Three examines issues and dynamics in working with special family forms--singleparent families, remarried families, culturally diverse families, and addictive/abusive families--as well as the different therapeutic approaches used, according to family type and background. Finally, Part Four discusses ethical, legal, and professional issues in being a family therapist. It also explores research and assessment in family therapy. New to This Edition The third edition ofFamily Therapyhas been thoroughly updated with new and relevant sources. It has been strengthened to include a greater emphasis on family health, a more complete integration of issues related to diversity and gender, and an expanded discussion of professional identity and ethics. Another added feature is a new chapter on working with families who suffer from substance-related disorders, domestic violence, and child abuse. A student workbook,Exercises in Family Therapyby Mark E. Young, Monserrat Casado, and Scott Rasmus, now accompanies the text. It includes case studies, structured exercises, and questions to help the student ref