Family Therapy Case Study

(3) Now explain which approach(es) you would select to use with this group and why. Consider client, therapist, and agency characteristics. How do your personal values and the NASW code and your critical assessments of theory inform your choices? To what extent would you engage in mediation, negotiating, or advocating with this family?

I would assume that working for an agency that deals with insurance reimbursements and wants quick diagnoses and minimal sessions, the Solution-Focused or Behavioral models might be the more popular theories of choice under these constraints. However, I personally would choose to use the Bowenian and Experiential approaches in working with this family. I love the Bowenian perspective of not trying to change
The NASW code says that we provide our clients with self-determination and we help them identify their goals. I think that sometimes we try to rush our clients through a “quick model” and claim results to get an insurance check, however, I would assume that more often than not family therapy takes time to delve into the core issues. I think the extent that I would mediate, negotiate, and advocate depends completely on the clients and what is needed in their process to become more productive. I realize that family therapy is a lot like group therapy, where you don’t know what is needed until everyone is in the middle of it. That is why it is important to be entirely present during the sessions and offer continuous flexibility, depending on the needs of the
They get along better with their mom than their dad and I might come across as another “mother figure” to them. They could possibly project the feelings they have about their mom, toward me. They might expect me to side with them as they hold an “us” vs. “them” frame in our sessions. I would want to process with Paul and Mark and challenge these “us” vs. “them” thoughts. I might hold some countertransference toward these brothers myself due to the perception I have of my own childhood. I was the oldest of four siblings, intelligent, athletic, and often seeking my dad’s approval. I could project my feelings of inadequacy as a child to these boys who also seem to be struggling to receive validation from John. Again, I would want to make sure I stay present, process with my supervisor, and work through own personal issues I have concerning my