Transcript VII. Contemporary Models of Family Therapy

VII. Contemporary Models of
Family Therapy
Power Point presentation prepared by
Leslie Barnes-Young, PhD, Francis Marion University
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Postmodernism
• Since the founding of the classic
schools of family therapy, there
has occurred a shift in emphasis.
• The postmodern or constructivist
position assumes that there is no
objective reality.
• Our reality is but one of many
shaped by our use of language.
• One consequence has been to
make therapists humbler in
dealing with families.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Solution-Focused Therapy
Basic Concepts
• This popular model has its roots in the
strategic approaches.
• Assumes that people become
constrained by narrow, pessimistic
views of their problems.
• Therapists get clients to concentrate on
solutions to problems that have worked.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Solution-Focused Therapy:
Therapeutic Techniques
• Formula first session task–
asks the client to identify what
happens in their life that they
want to continue.
• The miracle question–helps
clients look beyond the
problem & toward a goal.
• Scaling questions–”On a scale
of 1 to 10, how depressed do
you feel right now?”
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Narrative Therapy:
Basic Concepts
• Concern is with the way people construct
meaning rather than the way they behave.
• Personal experience is fundamentally
ambiguous and shaped by the words used to
describe it.
• Our explanations of our experiences are our
stories and we organize life by them.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Narrative Therapy:
Therapeutic Techniques
• The goal of therapy is to
transform clients’ stories and
alter their identities.
• This is done by separating
people from their problems.
• Exceptions to the prevailing
problem narrative are
highlighted.
• The centerpiece of therapy is
questioning.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Postmodernism online:
• Solution-Focused Therapy
http://www.brief-therapy.org/
• Narrative Therapy
http://www.narrativeapproaches.com/
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003