CNSL 552

Experiential, Intergenerational, and Psychodynamic Family Therapies

Fall 1998

Professor:               Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.
Office Location:     Henry Barnard Hall, Room 215 (within Room 227).
Office Hours:     Tue, 2:30-4:30pm; Wed, 5:00-6:00pm; Thur, 10:00-12:30 pm.
Phone:          (860) 832-2121
Fax:              (860) 832-2109

 

DESCRIPTION: This course guides students to: (a) learn about major models of family therapy that are classified as Experiential, Intergenerational, and Psychodynamic; (b) analyze the similarities and differences among the abovementioned models; and (c) explore systematically their own patterns, roles, and positions within their families-of-origin.

 

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OBJECTIVES

1. To strengthen and expand students' use of systemic thinking.

2. To become acquainted with the assessment techniques, treatment goals, and interventions characteristic of each of the family therapy models studied.

3. To enable students to apply the Metaframeworks schema to the family therapy models studied, thereby facilitating comparisons across models and to their own preferred styles of intervention.

4. To observe and experiment with concepts and techniques students may use for the development of their own clinical decision - making and practice.

5. To engage students in a process both in-and-out of the classroom for observing and understanding the influence of personal family history upon the student's use of self.

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METHOD AND FORMAT
The first eight weeks will be conducted as a lecture and discussion class, supplemented by experiential exercises and occasional videotapes of clinical sessions by representative master family therapists. This course requires students to do considerable amounts of reading in texts and handed-out articles.

 

Team Project

Beginning in the eighth week, teams of 3 to 5 students will be responsible for presenting on one of the models studied in this course. The team's presentation should include BOTH a description of the major features of the model AND some demonstration of the model in practice. Student team presentations should be planned to last one hour and may involve experiential exercises, video or audiotaped material, as well as lecturing. The student team should also be prepared to facilitate class discussion following its presentation. Each student team is also responsible for arranging a replacement presentation with other student teams should they be unable, for any reason, to present on their scheduled day. Remember, the quality of each presentation affects not only the presenters' grade but the value of the learning experience for the entire class.

Genogram Project

Based upon the procedures taught in-class and those found in McGolderick and Gerson (see BIBLIOGRAPHY below), each student is to turn in a paper consisting of three major sections: (A) a three- or four-generation genogram of his/her family constructed with the McGolderick and Gerson notation; (B) an accompanying analysis of the genogram, which should address each of the six interpretative categories of: (1) Family Structure, (2) Life Cycle Fit, (3) Pattern Repetition Across Generations, (4) Life Events and Family Functioning, (5) Relational Patterns and Triangles, and (6) Family Balance/Imbalance; (C) an interpretation of your actual or anticipated functioning as a therapist in the contexts of both your family-of-origin and your life experience-- themes, positions, and patterns that point to your strengths and weaknesses as a therapist.

The Genogram Project is not merely a term paper or a bloodless intellectual exercise. When approached with commitment, this work tends to be emotionally involving and can even be harrowing. For this reason, in©class presentation of genogram material including at the last class meeting, is voluntary. That is, you are encouraged to present personal material, since doing so enhances the value of the work to you, yet all information so offered is to be treated by the entire class with sensitivity, respect, and strict confidentiality. Moreover, it is strongly recommended that all students begin this work early in the semester and devote continual effort toward its completion. For those students who find value in the Intergenerational approach, family-of-origin work is never complete, any more than is one's education. The instructor will make time available outside of class for students wishing consultation on the genogram project.

GENOGRAM PROJECT PAPER DUE DECEMBER 1st.

Comprehensive Class Learning Experience

On November 17th the instructor will distribute questions and tasks for class members to complete. At the final class meeting, on Dec. 8th, class members will present to one another on, and engage in, a Comprehensive Learning Experience (in place of a Final Exam). It is up to the entire class collectively to organize its presentation and discussion of the material. This experience will not be graded.

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TOPICAL OUTLINE (may be modified during semester)

(*) = diagnostic interview videotape
Note: DSM Readings are for reference and familiarization.

 WEEK

 DATE

 TOPIC(S)

 ASSIGNMENT(S)

1

 9/1 Introduction; Review of systems theory; comparative overview of theories to be studied.  

2

 9/2 Construction of Genograms M&G: Chs. 1, 2, 3 to p. 82

 3

9/8 Bowen Theory and Therapy

P: pp. 1-97;

Hwk: DiBlasio

4

 9/15  Norman Ackerman's System Approach H: Ackerman;
M&G: pp. 83-124

  5

 9/22  Nagy's Contextual Therapy G: All

6

 9/29 TO BE ANNOUNCED  

7

 10/6  Byng-Hall's Approach H: Byng-Hall; B,
M&G: Ch. 4

8

 10/13

Whitaker's Experiential Therapy

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

N&W: All; emphasis on pp.1-78.

9

 10/20 Wiener's Rehearsals for Growth H: Wiener (2)

10

  10/27  Satir's Approach H: Satir; S&B

11

 11/3 Schwartz' Internal Family Systems H: Schwartz; S

12

 11/10  Framo's Approach H: Framo

13

 11/17 Metaframeworks: Comparisons Across Approaches  H: Metaframeworks

14

 11/24 Integration of Models in Practice ---

 15

12/1 Discussion and Voluntary Sharing about the Genogram Project Experience
GENOGRAM PROJECT PAPER DUE

16

  12/8 Comprehensive Class Learning Experience  

 

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REQUIRED WORK AND GRADING

20% - Class Participation - based on quality and quantity (come prepared each week to discuss current assigned readings)

25% - Team Presentation - note that all team members receive the same grade.

55% - Genogram Project Paper - genogram (can be on oversized paper) plus 12 - 30 pages (typed, double-spaced).

Grading:

A = outstanding work
B = fully acceptable work
C = minimally acceptable work

Any work turned in or presented late, for any reason, will received the next lower grade than it would have otherwise merited.

 

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COURSE READING LIST

A. Required Texts

McGoldrick, M. & Gerson, R. (1985). Genograms in Family Assessment. New York:
W. W. Norton. [M&G]
Napier, A.Y. & Whitaker, C. (1978). The Family Crucible. New York: Harper &
Row. [N&W]

B. Recommended Texts:

Byng-Hall, J. (1998) Rewriting Family Scripts. New York: Guilford. [B]
Goldenthal (1993). Contextual Family Therapy Professional Resource Press. [G]
Papero, D.V. (1990). Bowen Family Systems Therapy. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. [P]
Satir, V. & Baldwin, M. (1983) Satir Step by Step. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books. [S&B]
Schwartz, R. (1995). Internal Family Systems Therapy. New York: Guilford. [S]

 

C. Handouts: [H]

 

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