According to Gladding (2011), the idea of family is not universal; it varies amongst different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Throughout the course of the semester, several theories of marriage and family have been introduced and acknowledged. Over the course of time, society has influenced and altered the structure of family life, thus altering the methods and techniques in which therapy for couples and families are provided.
A study conducted by Bradley et al.(2008) suggests that when individuals/families seek counseling or therapy, they are more likely to encounter a therapist who practices “cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, or Bowen family systems rather than a therapist whose primary orientation to treatment is collaborative language or second order cybernetics” (p. 290).
When I think of the term family therapy, it not only applies to a traditional family consisting of a husband, wife, and children. There are several types of families: the nuclear family (traditional family), single-parent family, dual-career family, military family, etc.
As a result, there is a wide array of therapies or theories available that is suitable for all types of families. Some of the theories include the following: Psychodynamic Family Therapy, Bowen Family Therapy, Experiential Family Therapy, Behavioral Family Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Family Therapy, and Narrative Family Therapy. One of the marriage and family therapies that sparks an interest is the Solution-Focused Family Therapy; it can be classified as one of the most recent styles of family therapy.
The Essay on Family Therapy Model
Family therapy models of psychotherapy can be divided into three classifications—ahistorical, historical, and experiential (Griffin & Greene, 1998, p. 3). The ahistorical classification includes structural family therapy, strategic family therapy, behavioral family therapy, psychoeducational family therapy, and communication models (Griffin & Greene, 1998, p. 3). The historical ...
Overview of solution-focused family therapy Solution-Focused Therapy, according to Gladding (2011), is a very brief form of therapy that is goal-focused; it helps the clients determine possible resolutions as opposed to having primary focus on the issue itself. In addition, this type of therapy focuses on strengths and resources of the clients or families, which assist in resolving the problem(s).
Solution-focused therapy assists families with a variety of issues.
For example, this therapy has been used to assist families that have children with aggressive and/or misbehaving children, and it has also been beneficial for families who have been impacted by suicide—just to name a few. Solution-focused family therapy, in addition to other forms of therapy (i. e. narrative family therapy and collaborative family therapy), are considered post modern or discursive forms of therapy; discursive is said to be referring to what people say and how they say it in communicating with each other. According to Gibney (1996), “discursive therapies (e. g. , narrative, collaborative, solution-focused) have overcome the problem of therapist power” (as cited in Sutherland, 2007, p.194).
Although literature is limited, there have been a few attempts made at giving an in-depth review of the most recent methods of family therapy, including solution-focused family therapy; it confirms the overall idea of solution-focused family therapy. Sutherland (2007) states that solutions are disconnected from the problem and suggest that “problem-talk further grounds the client in old problematic patterns of thinking and acting and makes it more difficult for the client to reach his or her therapeutic objectives” (p. 204).
However, in efforts to understand solution-focused family therapy, it is important to consider the theorists who are responsible for the evolution of such prominent theory. Other significant aspects of solution-focused family theory, such as treatment techniques and the role and responsibility of the therapist should also be considered. Furthermore, the effectiveness of solution-focused family therapy is shown throughout several literature reviews/journal articles; it is equally important to review or summarize relevant pieces of literature to gain further knowledge of the success of solution-focused family therapy.
The Term Paper on Socialism The Family Planning Solution
Between 1939 and 1945 the Jewish population went from fifteen million to nine million. Jewish people were unjustly singled out for persecution and many lost everything before the sadistic mastermind could be stopped. "The local headquarters for the Firma Otto Heil [... ] located in the town of Kamionka [... ] was by no means the only large German company to move operations to Polish soil to reap ...
Major theorists of solution-focused family Solution-focused therapy was derived by several influential theorists. Major theorists include husband and wife duo Steve deShazer and Insoo Kim Berg, as well as Michele Weiner-Davis and Bill O’Hanlon. Bill O’Hanlon was influenced by working with Weiner-Davis on his collaborative writing at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee; this center is where most of the aforementioned theorists worked with one another during the solution-focused family therapy movement.
All in all, the previously mentioned theorists played a huge impact of the development and success of the post-modern therapy, solution-focused family therapy. Steve deShazer, according to Dolan (2006), was known as a “creative genius known for his minimalist philosophy and view of the process of change as an inevitable and dynamic part of everyday life” (as cited in Gladding, 2011, p. 305).
During the mid and late 1970s, deShazer began his career in the helping professional and was also a major component in the establishment of the Brief Family Therapy Center, along with others.
Shortly after, deShazer became known on a national level, and his works eventually began to gain even more recognition. During the 1980s, deShazer referred to his therapy as brief family therapy. According to Gladding (2011), his approach to therapy was a very unique one that included a “team approach. ” During this technique, the team also referred to as consultants, “observes from behind a one-way mirror and transmits messages to the therapist during designated break times in the session” (p. 306).
Insoo Kim Berg, the wife of Steve deShazer, assisted deShazer as the Executive Director of the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee; she was also a major influence in the development of the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She was known as the “sparkplug in the clinical implementation of solution-focused therapy” and her work was captured on paper (Gladding, 2011).
As a result, she has over 10 books and a large selection of articles that pertain to solution-focused family therapy. As mentioned, Bill O’Hanlon influence to solution-focused family therapy was sparked by his collaboration with Weiner-Davis.
The Research paper on Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution–focused therapy (SFT), unlike other forms of therapy argues that a person doesn’t have to understand any problem in order to resolve the problem and that the solution isn’t necessarily related to the problem. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief overview, description and rationale of Solution-focused therapy as well as an explanation of the therapeutic processes involved in SFT. ...
Furthermore, he also gained a genuine passion for family therapy as a result of his experiences as an adolescent and a young adult. O’Hanlon’s life experiences during these stages of life can rightfully describe him as an “outsider” or as an individual who did not fit in with the crowd. Bubenzer and West (1993) states that during his experimentation with drugs he noticed that “the reality we all take for granted could be changed by a couple of micrograms of something introduced into one’s body” (as cited with Gladding, 2011, 306).
Equally important, a friend’s influence to stop O’Hanlon from suicide was a huge milestone in his life that also influenced his decision to engage in therapeutic work. In 1980, after receiving proper education from Arizona State University, he became a huge supporter of solution-focused therapy, which he referred to as possibility therapy. This therapy’s foundation, as previously described, shifts the attention away from the issues that are involved with the family to the possible solutions.
Lastly, Michele Weiner-Davis is an influential figure in solution-focused family therapy. She currently works as a marriage and family therapist in Illinois. She is well known for her popular books on solution-orientation family therapy as well as her “Divorce Busting Center in Colorado; at this center, she runs intensive workshops for couples. Furthermore, she is a prestigious figure as the result of her establishment of the relationship program entitled “Keeping Love Alive” (Gladding, 2011).
Overall, she is known for using the solution-focused family therapy from the couples and marriage aspect. Basic concepts of solution-focused family therapy As mentioned, solution-focused family therapy works in families of all types, and it assists with a large variety of familial issues, ranging from issues associated with misbehavior in children to problems that stem from suicide or abuse. Influenced by the concept of social constructionism, solution-focused family therapy argues that family treatment must include social, historical, and cultural perspectives.
The Essay on Family Therapy 2
Family Therapy is very important in many families and homes for several reasons. Family therapy helps many families with communication issues and it helps to resolve major family conflicts. Family therapy also assists family members become able to relate to one another in a positive way. Family therapy also helps families going through traumatic events such deaths, divorces, and major illnesses. ...
In other words, there must be an understanding from all of the aforementioned point of views in efforts to successfully treat a specific family’s issues; treatment for different families should be individualized to adhere to that particular family’s culture and way of life. Solution-focused family therapy aims to reverse unsuccessful methods or patterns of resolution(s) by replacing with them with more positive techniques. Berg and Miller (1992) and deShazer makes three highly relevant suggestions related to the attempts of causing positive change during solution-focused family therapy: “1) If it is not broken, do not fix it 2)
Once you know what works, do more of it, and 3) If something does not work, do not do it again. Do something different” (as cited in Gladding, 2011, p. 307).
In a nutshell, solution-focused family therapy does not focus on the details or history of the problems, but instead focuses on the solutions. It is said that the solutions are already embodied within the family; however, families must cooperate and find the motivation to bring the solution(s) to the forefront.
As a result, theorists of solution-focused family therapy argue that this form of therapy should be short-term because “only a small amount of change is necessary” (Gladding, 2011, p. 308).
To simplify, this form of therapy simply initiates the appropriate solution, thus allowing the family to obtain the confidence and optimism needed to continue the work on their own, in absence of the therapist. In efforts to gain a greater understanding of how solution-focused family therapy is used, several peer reviewed articles and/or studies will be considered.
The use of solution-focused family therapy There are several pieces of literature available that exhibit the use of solution-focused family therapy. These studies have attempted to show the efficacy of solution-focused family therapy by engaging in case studies that target a variety of familial issues. According to Berg and deShazer (1993), the “emphasis on solution-talk, exceptions to old patterns of thought and action, and client resources are key features that distinguish solution-focused family therapy from other therapies” (as cited in Sutherland, 2007, p. 204).
The Essay on Solution Focused Therapy For Children
Solution-focused therapy has a unique orientation toward non-problem times. The purpose is to help people target and amplify resources and strengths toward change (Berg, 1994). The article that I researched is about a study of using the framework of solution focused therapy with children. Children were referred by the study for presenting problems involved those relating to “behavior,” such as ...
The use of solution-focused family therapy can be seen in families that have children with intellectual disabilities as well as behavioral issues; it can also be used to help rebuild shattered families that have experienced traumatic or negative events such as suicide or sexual abuse. Conoley et al. (2003) conducted a study to portray the effectiveness of solution-focused family therapy within three families that have aggressive and oppositional-acting children (ages eight and nine).
Solution-focused family therapy is seen as effective because there is an increased rate of children of this demeanor, and fast resolutions are imperative in attempts to prevent further occurrences of misbehavior.
Approximately four to five sessions were conducted with the three families, and efficacy was measured using a treatment manual and a treatment adherence measure. The Parent Daily Report, or PDR, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) served as measurement tools used that allowed daily ratings to be reported of the child’s misbehavior by the parent (Conoley et al. , 2003, p. 362).
Therapy was provided two weeks into the study; live supervision and consultation was done during the study, and phone contacts were also made throughout the study to encourage compliance. Overall, it was reported that the results of the three families that participated in the study supported the hypothesis—solution-focused family therapy is highly beneficial for families with children who were oppositional and aggressive (Conoley et al. , 2003, p. 369).
Lloyd and Dallos (2008) initiated a study that sought out to show the value in using solution-focused family therapy with families who have children with intellectual disabilities, or ID.
Mothers of the children were also reliable participants of this study, and they were interview approximately two weeks after the initial session with therapist. Participants were predominately white from the British population. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used, according to Lloyd and Dallos (2008), to “describe and understand participants’ subjective experiences (phenomenology) but recognizes that in doing so the researcher is inevitably engaged in an interpretive process” (p. 11).
The Essay on Emotionally Focused Therapy
To love and be loved in return is essential for an individual’s happiness. In accordance with many other aspects of life, marital status as been linked to influencing ones life in a positive way; making it happier (Stack, Eshleman, 527). The problem with this is that not all marriages stay healthy and good. With divorce rates raging from 40%-50% in the United States, there ends up being a gap in ...
The use of The Helpful Aspects of Therapy Questionnaire, with additional questions about the ethnographic design and the “miracle question” were all included in the procedure for this study. According to Walter and Peller (1993), the miracle question asks, “If a miracle happened tonight and you woke up tomorrow and the problem was solved, what would you do differently” (as cited in Gladding, 2011, p. 308).
The findings of this study suggest that there are some correlations with the use of solution-focused family therapy during the first session and the ways of thinking that mothers of children with ID found helpful.
The most significant example that confirms the aforesaid statement was the use of the theme of “making the best of it. ” Surprisingly, the miracle question, which is asking for a hypothetical solution to their situation, was irrelevant and baffling during this study. Suicide, the 11th leading cause of death, is considered a serious health issue resulting in the death of more than 30,000 individuals in the United States per year. De Castro and Guterman (2008) conducted case studies that illustrate the use of solution-focused family therapy with families coping with suicide.
Familiar therapeutic approaches to assisting families with suicide include cognitive-behavioral and psychoeducational. However, this article proposes that solution-focused family therapy is an effective alternative. There are several reasons noted for suggesting that this specific therapy is appropriate for families with suicide. For example, the strength-based approach associated with solution-focused family therapy corresponds to the idea suggested by research that such families have a natural resiliency (de Castro & Guterman, 2008, p. 93).
There were three case examples provided during this article that thoroughly showed solution-focused family therapy in motion; these examples also provided dialogue between the therapist and family members. Furthermore, the case studies provided a very diverse group of families; diversity was shown by differences in ethnicity and religion. DeShazer (1984) suggests that an integral aspect of solution-focused family therapy is the therapist “joining with the family and establishing a basis for a cooperative therapeutic relationship” (as cited in de Castro & Guterman, 2008, p.103).
This was portrayed within the case examples because the therapist’s use of acknowledgment and processing of feelings was particularly beneficial to the family. Overall, further research is needed to determine future effectiveness of solution-focused family therapy for families with suicide. However, this article shows the importance of therapists gaining an understanding of the family’s worldview from a cultural aspect.
Lastly, Price (2004) integrates concepts associated with several post-modern therapies, including solution-focused family therapy, in the treatment of sexual abusers and their families. This aspect of using solution-focused family therapy seems highly challenging, especially if the act of sexual abuse occurred within the family. According to Price (2004), “the therapist’s task is to create a vision or detailed picture of how the family will be when things are better, which creates hope and an expectation that a solution is possible” (p. 190).
Within this article, an actual, detailed case study was provided of a family that included the sex offender (approximately age 14) and victims who were his siblings (between ages 7-11).
Overall, this article gave an explanation of ways in which solution-focused family therapy can be used with families of sex abusers and victims to “offer a conceptualization of disclosure and victim clarification as preparation for family reunification and present a model of family reunification that can be applied to family work with sexual abusers and their families” (Price, 2004, p. 187).
All in all, the journal articles that have been discussed show considerable usage of solution-focused family therapy and the techniques that are utilized by therapists; treatment techniques and strategies are extremely important as it a determinant in the success of the counseling relationship. Treatment techniques used in solution-focused family therapy As stated, there are several treatment strategies and interventions available that can be used during solution-focused family therapy.
Gladding (2011) introduces eight treatment interventions that can be used collectively during the counseling relationship in efforts to have a successful termination. The first technique is for the therapist to “cocreate” a problem with the family; this has to happen so that there is a productive beginning and end to the counseling relationship. Another vital component of treatment is known as the “miracle question. ” Throughout several of the previously discussed article review articles, the miracle question was utilized.
The miracle question suggests that families give a hypothetical solution to the issue, thus allowing them to visualize and somewhat experience a reality that they wish to achieve. Next, during solution-focused therapy, exceptions should be focused on; according to Krauth (1995), exceptions refer to the ability to “look for negative or positive space (or time when a family goal may be happening)” (as cited in Gladding, 2011, p. 309).
Scaling, another treatment technique influenced by deShazer and Berg, involves questions that are asked using a scale of one (low) to ten (high) to help clients move towards their goal.
An example of scaling could include, “on a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel about the status of your family today? ” In efforts to change the family’s organization and structure, the therapist could utilize second-order, or qualitative, change; in other words, this approach attempts to change the way in which a family does something for the better, thus altering family dynamics. DeShazer’s (1982) intervention strategy of giving the family a compliment consists of “a written message designed to praise a family for its strengths and build a ‘yes set’ within it” (Gladding, 2011, p. 309).
Other intervention techniques include providing families with a clue, which is an intervention that exemplifies the normal behavior or actions of the family. Providing families with clues assist families in “building mutual support and momentum for carrying out later interventions (Gladding, 2011, p. 309).
Lastly, the uses of skeletal keys, or techniques that have been used universally and are known to have worked in the past, are useful during solution-focused family therapy. To summarize, intervention or treatment techniques are used in efforts to allow the family to approach their problems in a different manner than what they are used to.
Therapists’ roles and responsibilities play a major role in the effectiveness of the treatment techniques and/or interventions. Role of solution-focused family therapist According to Lipchik (2002), solution-focused family therapist refers to their clients as “experts of their own lives and therapists as experts at creating collaboration, solution-focused dialogues” (as cited in Sutherland, 2007, p. 204).
This is a very interesting perspective to take when considering the roles of the therapist.
As previously stated, clients or families are already conscious of the possible solutions of the issues; therapists are mainly utilized to initiate bringing the solution to the surface. Therapists must first be able to determine the commitment level that the family is willing to put forth; the family’s activity level is a huge determinant in the process of change. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the therapist to focus the attention on the specifics in which the family would like to change and provide the family with alternative perspectives on an issue.
Although the therapist does not choose the underlying issue(s) of the family, it is part of their responsibilities to keep the focus steered in a direction that may help clients reach set objectives. According to Lipchik (2002), these therapists hear most of what clients say yet listen for and respond only to what they see as potentially therapeutic and useful for these clients (as cited in Sutherland, 2007, p. 205).
The overall goal of the therapist is to provide an optimistic point of view for families concerning their problems and provide them with the tools necessary to spark a change.
According to Cleveland and Lindsey (1995), the role of the therapist “encourages the family to focus on changes in their behaviors, changes in their perceptions, and the recognition and use of family resources/strengths that can be brought to bear on a problematic situation” (as cited in Gladding, 2011, p. 312).
Therapeutic goals and outcomes An explanation of the therapeutic goals and/or outcomes of solution-focused family therapy are somewhat simple. The primary goal of solution-focused therapy is to allow families to have an optimistic approach towards the future of their familial relationship.
Solution-focused family therapy “encourages, challenges, and sets up expectations for change” (Gladding, 2011, p. 312).
Although this type of therapy is mainly short term, it provides families with the tools necessary in efforts to carry on the solutions that have been initiated during therapy. With solution-focused family therapy, small changes in behavior are encouraged, thus resulting in the development or expansion of larger systemic changes. Conclusion In conclusion, solution-focused family therapy is very useful for families who are in search for an immediate or fast resolution to their issues.
In today’s society, this seems to be the case more times than not, being that society has a strong influence upon the structure of the family and methods used to assist families of all types. As seen through the journal articles that were introduced, solution-focused family therapy can be used for a wide array of familial issues. In every aspect, it assists families by initiating possible solutions to their problems and promoting and encouraging change in the future. Overall, this form of therapy is beneficial because it has the ability to conform to a particular families’ worldview or lifestyle.
