Family Therapy in Clinical Practice

PREREQUISITE: Marriage and Family Therapy or Couples Therapy recommended but not required.

This course will apply the principles of marriage and family therapy to a wide range of diverse family forms and issues using family systems theory. Family systems theory assessment tools, concepts, treatment plan procedures, and overall theory of change will be applied to cases typically seen in professional practice. Through the use of case study methods, the student will assess the family system, write a treatment plan, research current literature in the field, and present treatment options for the case. Students will have an opportunity to explore a wide range of treatment approaches to contemporary family challenges. A variety of crucial topics will be explored, including genograms in family assessment, family transition management, blended family issues, conflict resolution, and couples therapy with complex trauma. The personhood of the therapist will be explored, considering one’s family of origin, ethical decision-making processes, and style of relating to clients.

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:

• Evaluating marriage and family cases using Family Systems Theory and interpreting complex family interactions using a Family Genogram as a part of the assessment process.
• Creating a client treatment plan, including a defendable case conceptualization for diverse marriage and family therapy cases that is written in a professional manner capable of peer review by other therapists.
• Devising therapist counseling strategies needed in order to build a positive client-therapist relationship based upon the application of the Kessler Model of Relationship Interaction.
• Constructing a case conceptualization for a couple experiencing sexual trauma through an application of Developmental Couples Therapy for Complex Trauma.
• Developing a model of couples’ conflict resolution and therapy interventions that are appropriate for conflict habituated couples, couples experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, and conflict-avoidant relationships.
• Evaluating personality differences among couples and family members by an application of Jungian theory and the use of the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, and devise a treatment plan to address strengths and work areas.
• Creating a treatment plan for a blended family client using a Family Genogram to address issues of family subsystems, new couple formation, and initiation of different roles and rules.
• Adapting the Bridges Model of Transition Management to a client case conceptualization dealing with both developmental crises and situational crises, and defend a treatment plan for the family.
• Investigating therapy options for addressing various personality disorders that may present in couples therapy, and how they affect both the course of treatment and the effectiveness of the therapist.
• Designing a treatment plan for adult clients dealing with attachment issues surrounding childhood adoption, addressing issues of abandonment, betrayal, self-sabotage, and achievement.
• Assessing ways in which artificial intelligence may be leveraged to assist the marriage and family therapist in identifying resources in the preparation of client cases.

ACQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ethical and Clinical Genograms in Family Assessment
• Kessler Model of Therapist-Client Relationship Patterns
• Family Treatment Planning Based on Family Systems Theory
• Case Study Analysis and Presentation
• Developmental Couples Therapy for Complex Trauma