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Family Life Style Reflection Paper

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Family Life Style Reflection Paper
REFLECTION PAPER

FAMILY LIFE CYCLE INTERACTIONS AND THE THEARPIST

Zuleika Liriano
Mercy College

ABSTRACT

Being a family therapist is a rewarding job, but it also comes with many challenges. Families are consistently going through many changes and the therapist and the clients may not be at the same point in the family life cycle; this can at times lead to conflicts that the therapist is unable to avoid. In order to be an effective therapist you must be able to perform self-assessments and strive to continuously build yours skills. As a therapist in training, I am able to identify my strengths, which would be working with families that have a member that is developmentally disabled; families that are going through a divorce; and intergenerational families. I am also aware of my vulnerabilities which are dealing with families and death; and maintaining objectivity. I concept that I view as both a strength and a vulnerability is dealing with alcohol problems and the family dynamics. I would address the challenges that arise as a family therapist by attending to my personal family issues; and attending therapy sessions.

Throughout this semester we have learned many concepts that will assist us in becoming effective family therapist. This class taught us how to construct a genogram, and introduced us to the various stages in the family life cycle. With introductions to the various stages we also were introduced to the different life stressors that could affect the dynamics of the family. The concepts that I view as my strengths are working with family members that have members that are developmentally disabled; counseling families that are going through the transition of a divorce; and intergenerational conflicts. The concepts that can pose a challenge for are dealing with death and a loss of a family member; and maintaining objectivity



References: McGoldrick, M. & Watson M. (2011) Siblings and the Life Cycle In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 149-162). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Walsh, F. (2011) Families in Later Life: Challenges, Oppurtunites, and Resilience In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 261-277). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. McGoldrick, M. & Walsh, F. (2011) Death, Loss, and the Family Life Cycle. In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 278-291) New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Ahrons, C.R. (2011) Divorce: An Unscheduled Family Transition. In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 292-306). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Laszloffy, T.A. (2011) Alcohol Problems and the Life Cycle. In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 368-383). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Berman E., &Heru, A. (2011) Psychiartiric Illness and the Life Cycle. In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 398-411). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Lerner, S. (2011) The Therapist and the Family: The Intersection of Life Cycles. In Carter, B., McGoldrick, M., and Garcia-Preto, N. (4th Ed.), The expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family and Social Perspectives (pp. 440-446). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., Petry, S., (2008). Genograms: Assessment and Intervention (3rd ed.) United States of America: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc..

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