Question

Marilyn Davis, age 52, is the mother of three children: Judith, age 17, Michael, age 15, and Jenny, age 7. Her husband George is 56 and is presently unemployed. He has been without work for the past 8 months and appears depressed and apathetic stating that he has been sleeping more than usual. Marilyn and George complain of not getting along and feel discouraged with their inability to parent the children effectively. Marilyn and George seem to have different parenting styles and the children take advantage of this. In Marilyn's eyes, George is too authoritarian and rigid with the kids. On the other hand, Marilyn is overly permissive in George's eyes. When the children misbehave, which has happened a lot lately, Marilyn and George tend to end up in a personal fight about how to handle the situation. Marilyn is concerned about George's unemployment and feels he is not too invested in finding a new job. The family has already started to experience financial problems and they both know that the savings are not going to last forever.

Judith (17) has been skipping school lately and her grades have dropped dramatically. She has a new boyfriend and according to her parents is hanging out with the wrong crowd. Her parents suspect that she may be experimenting with drugs. Judith is upset with her parents for not accepting her friends and complains that they are too conservative and judgmental. Both Marilyn and George seem to agree that Judith is very smart and fear she may be giving up on her studies because her friends are not interested in school. Marilyn also complains that she and Judith are not close any more.

Michael (15) has been having problems in school also and the teacher is worried that he may have a learning disability. Michael has problems concentrating on one task and seems distracted most of the time. The teacher has also noticed that Michael is spending less time with friends. He spends time alone and does not look happy. At this point, the teacher has recommended that Michael be tested for special services and has suggested that he see the school counselor. Michael is very close to his mother and is more distant with his father. Michael seems to be Marilyn's confidant. The school counselor has recommended family counseling.

Jenny (7) seems to be very shy and struggles to verbalize her feelings. She is normally the "left out" child in the family because the parents are focusing more on Judith and Michael. She likes reading and often withdraws to her room rather than playing with other children in the neighborhood. When Marilyn and George fight, Jenny gets upset and swiftly disappears into her room. Jenny is probably the closest to dad and seems preoccupied with the fact that he is not working now.

Clinical Activity:

As a structural family therapist, how could you help this family "reframe" the presenting problem? What problems do you think a therapist would have in joining with this family?

Answer 1

Step-1

As a structural family therapist , I can help this family to reframe the presenting problem for getting solutiion in desirable manner.

1. To analyze the problem .

2. To understand the causes of problem .

3 to identify the interlinked among problem.

4. To understand the role of psychological, social and family Environment for creating such problem.

Reframing the problem in presenting way

1.how can solve the unemployment problem of George?

2. What is the various way to change the attitude of judiath and modify his behaviour in desirable manner?

3.Why Michel family councelling problem ?

4 . How does family councelling helps Michel to overcome the problem:of learning disablity and develop good bonding with father?

5. What is best way to socialize Jenny?

6. What is the role of parents to reduce depression of Jenny ?

This problem are framed in such way that it also helps to find our possible solution.

Therapist would have following problem in joining with this family

1. the first problem that a family therapist would have faced is responsiblity.if there is more than one patient, then it is difficult to provide appropriate treatment and intervention. So in this family have number of client who have several issue .so he will not much assured to fullfilled his duty.

2. A family therapist alwys should maintain professional boundaries while dealing with clinet.but it will more dificult while dealing with this family . Because in this family situation, Therapist personal values may be affected like keep separate judiath from her friend ,

3. Communication and proper collobration problem can be faced by the therapist while dealing with this family. Because there is proper cordination and cooperatiom among Family member. While someone close to mother , then another close mother ,even someone also isolated.