Psychoanalytic Family Therapy Model

Despite some of the family not wanting to attend family counseling, these sessions were referred by the juvenile court to address issues surrounding John and Mary’s second child, Mark (14), being caught stealing. John and Mary appear upset by Mark’s recent misdemeanor, although they don’t seem surprised by his behavior. Mark is reluctant to talk about the event, however, after a short time he does open up and talk briefly about getting caught and just wanting to “fit in” with his basketball teammates, who had dared him to steal clothes from a local department store. He also discusses struggling academically and thinking he is “dumb” compared to his peers. Paul (16) doesn’t seem phased by his brother’s misconduct. He discusses seeing favoritism
These models are described in your text (Nichols). (a) Psychoanalytic Family Therapy (Psychodynamic or 1st force) In using the psychoanalytic model, the goal I would try to achieve with this family is to explore unconscious motives and defense mechanisms that seem to inhibit the development and maintenance of healthy relationships within their family system. I would intervene by focusing on John and Mary’s own childhoods and attempt to create a holding space for discovery and hopefully uncover a deeper understanding of why they respond and interact the way they do. (b) Bowenian Family Therapy (Psychodynamic or 1st force) In using the Bowenian model, the goal I would try to achieve with this family is to increase self-focus and address possible triangulation. I would intervene by asking process questions, which tend to help lower anxiety, and also encourage the clients to start thinking more introspectively about their individual issues rather than completely blame others (Nichols, 2014, p. 79). Triangulation seems to exist within John and Mary’s relationship, as they both seem enmeshed with their kids (mom with the boys and dad with the daughter) rather than working through their challenges together and growing closer as a couple. As their therapist, I would try to focus on staying present
I would intervene by helping John and Mary decide on an effective reward system for the siblings that can possibly increase wanted behaviors, and then setup consequences which might decrease undesirable behaviors. We would explore functions of the unwanted behaviors within the family and hopefully develop an increase of awareness surrounding the destructive behaviors. In working with John and Mary specifically, I would teach new “behavior exchange procedures, emphasizing positive control in place of aversive control” (p. 175). New behavior exchanges will hopefully over time increase effective communication, and also desired