communications and experiential family therapy
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Communications and Experiential Family Therapy. Virginia Satir Carl Whitaker. Concepts to watch for:. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Communications and Experiential Family Therapy
Virginia Satir Carl Whitaker
Concepts to watch for: The Primacy of the experience –
“Existence precedes essence,” “thoughts and feelings are attempts to understand our world, but the experience of life comes first.” Those who are only intellectualizing are not fully alive.
Affect – Families who are not in touch with their experience and emotionally dead.
Concepts to watch for: The Person of the Therapist –
Experiential family therapists (all counselors) participate actively and personally in the session. They do not attempt to hide behind a therapeutic mask, but risk being vulnerable and open. Self-disclosure, and congruency and transparency are vital.
Spontaneity and Creativity – non rational and creative experiences are important to provide for the family (client).
Concepts to watch for: Freedom, Holism, and Existential
Anxiety – Freedom – choice not fate, awareness of death, finality of life.
I-Thou relationship – among family members and with the world, and starting with the therapist/client.
Present-centeredness – Immediate experience and person-to-person encounters.
Communications School Early MRI emphasized
communications All behavior is communication Communication has both a Report and
a Command Communication has both analogue
and digital parts Meta communication is
communication about communication.
The double bind Two or more persons in an important
relationship. Repeated experience. A primary negative injunction, such as “Don’t
do X or I will punish you. A second injunction at a more abstract level
conflicting with the first, also enforced by punishment or perceived threat.
A tertiary negative injunction prohibiting escape and demanding a response Without this restriction the “victim” won’t feel bound;
The complete set of ingredients is no longer necessary after the victim is conditioned.
Existentialism
Existentialism, a philosophy that examines the immediacy of the problems of life i.e., the condition of humans, the state of being free, and of having to use freedom in order to answer the ever-changing and unexpected challenges of the day. Existentialists have the starting point for every philosophical investigation as human existence -- the human personality itself, my “me,” your "you" -- whose drama of life, brought under critical analysis, should point the way to the absolute value of reality.
Phenomenology – we all create and experience our own reality separate from what is real – out there.
Search for meaning – we strive to understand what is all about.
Satir- Outline Humanistic perspective View of human nature Source of motivation Development of pathology Nature of change Therapeutic relationship
Satir- Humanistic Perspective
Techniques Carl Rogers
Fritz Perls Existentialists
Satir- Humanistic Perspective
Goal of humanistic therapy is to increase awareness of options and potential Make choices Increase autonomy and self-actualization
Satir- Philosophical tenets
Relationship is encounter between two people at any moment
Strength of relationship based on strength of self-concept
Satir- View of human nature
Geared to survival, growth, getting close to others.
Humans are limited in ways of “knowing” self
Satir- Source of motivation
Communication Self-worth
Satir- Development of pathology
Inability to form relationships. Ineffective communication
Satir- Development of pathology
Ineffective communication- Convey self incongruently Variable to adapt to present context Does not elicit feedback Denial of impulses Suppression of feelings Families are locked into self-protection
and avoidance Emotional deadness
Satir- Development of pathology
Families are cold; tend to stay together out of habit or duty.
Families lack warmth to themselves and others Couples live together in quiet desperation. Adults don’t seem to enjoy their children. Ineffective communication types
Placater Blamer Computer Distractor
Satir- Nature of change
Goal of treatment- Increased self-worth Clear, direct, honest
communication Flexible and appropriate roles Open and hopeful links to society
Satir- Therapeutic relationship
Seen as resource person. Serve as experienced observer. Model good communication. Teach clients effective
communication. Aware of possibilities for
interactions in therapy
Satir- Stages of therapy
Opening phone call. Discover who is in family. Ages of members. Importance of members. Parenting roles
Satir- Stages of therapy
Initial session- Clarify family expectations Explain nature of family therapy Explore symptoms Reflect puzzlement of good intentions Family study
Satir- Stages of therapy
Family Life Chronology- (First 2 sessions) Courtship history Early married life Marital expectations Plan and arrival of each child
Satir- Therapeutic relationship-
Emphasize equality in relationship
Encourage client’s to elicit feedback from therapist
Make “I value you” statements (well, we know you have good seed)
Satir- Techniques
Improve self-worth- Identify client strengths Ask questions on client’s area of expertise Note achievements in family history Accentuate good intentions Questions on bringing happiness to others
Satir- Techniques
Improve communication- Do not allow members to block communication Do not allow members to speak for each other Encourage client’s to ask for clarification Interpret family messages
Satir- Stages of therapy
Termination- Complete transactions, clear messages Improved perceptions of self, others perceptions Disagree Make choices
Questions? Next Show film
Carl Whitaker
Whitaker- Philosophy Nontheoretical approach Moment-to-moment interchange Whitaker-
Carl Whitaker’s View of human nature
Healthy families: Process of perpetual becoming.
Three generations that maintain autonomy.
Flexible roles. Flexible power distribution
Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families:
Use constructive input. Develop “as if” structure. Allowed to be crazy. Develop functional realities
Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families:
Aware of stress of members. Express positive and negative
feelings. Respect intimacy and separation. Encourage outside relationships
Whitaker- Source of motivation
Grow despite adversities. Parents grown from difficulties
with their children. Deal with symptoms as growth
Whitaker- Development of pathology
Discomfort with growth. Inflexibility. Resistant to change.
Whitaker- Nature of change
Goal of therapy is to encourage change and growth
Whitaker- Therapeutic relationship
Use of co-therapists. Share opinions of family. Use of children as co-
therapists. Model healthy adult
functioning
Whitaker-Stages of therapy
Initial phone call-Insist on all members
Whitaker- Stages of therapy
Battle for structure. Therapists initially control
structure of session, time, cost, location.
Insist on all members present
Whitaker- Stages of treatment
Initial session. Address father first. Assess for subgroups
Whitaker- Stages of therapy
Battle for initiative Insist that family members make change Exchange control of sessions
Whitaker- Stages of therapy
Battle for bilaterality Family can leave treatment at any time Flight into health
Whitaker- Techniques Redefinition of symptoms as growth. Use fantasy alternatives. Assign members to change roles. Augment despair of members. Engage in affective confrontation. Treat children like children. Separate interpersonal stress from
fantasy stress. Highlight family revolution. Extended family reunion. Use of consultation
Whitaker- Stages of treatment
Termination Express feelings to family
Questions? View film