Family Focusing

Eddie Mannion identifies the following three major skills which are known as the three Fs, integral to providing family consultation;
Feelings: verbal and nonverbal expressions utilized when joining the family and earning their trust using empathizing which means explicitly communicating how anyone, including the consultant may feel in the situation that the family is describing which helped them to feel comfortable and understood (Bentley, 2002, p. 236-237).
“Focusing is the process of helping families clearly defines their concerns, and the working on clear, specific problems, one at a time” (Bentley, 2002, p. 237). Having the family to write down a list of problems or concerns and prioritizing the list of the issue they want to focus their attention on first. “Focusing of the underlying issues that is upsetting for the family” (Bentley, 2002, p. 238). Focusing on problems can be stressful when a family does not receive a resolution to other pressing issue due to focusing on one issue at a time (Bentley, 2002, p. 239).
Finding; “Once a problem is well-defined, the
Validating, showing empathy and sympathy regarding a client’s feeling will strengthen a consultant and client’s working relationship. Not only should a client focus on the presenting problems and issues, but the consultant as well. This allows the client to trust that the consultant has their best interest at hand. All involved parties focusing on one issue at a time, will definitely help the client to clearly see progress. Because the consultant is focusing on the client’s issues one a time, they will also be able to find the necessary approach and resources that will be beneficial to the client and their family. This will also help the consultant to utilize their many skills in determining the role they will play in the treatment