Narrative Therapy and Family Structural Framework - Assignment Example

Social Work: Intervention Skills with Families Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Social Work: Intervention Skills with Families Q-1: To work with Narrative theoretical frame work and structural frame work of family: Narrative therapy is a process that eschews the blame element and helps individual to identify their character within their family. It relies on people’s skills, attitudes and abilities and provides therapy by enabling the recognition of values and capacities, ideologies, religious rituals, customs and commitment to family without any bias. In this framework, the therapist focuses on solving the problems of an individual within the family settings. To facilitate this, they collect necessary data from the client. In narrative frame work, the client narrates his or her experiences through stories. By evaluating the narration, the therapist connects these stories with the client’s life experiences and can recognize the links between different situations. In this narrative theoretical frame work, the therapist categorizes the experience into “dominant” stories and “alternative” stories (Allyn & Bacon, 1998, p.2). Structural frame work of family “indicates” the relationship and role of every individual in a family. The quality of a family depends on the “cohesive” attitude and “flexibility” of its members and the bonding among them (Allyn & Bacon, 1998, p.2, 4). A family structure includes certain “boundaries” which relating to the participation of members in family. Q-2: Reflect on the philosophy, approaches and assumptions of each way of working and discuss the ways in which these methods of family work and are similar and/or different: In narrative therapy, the philosophy and approach is to focus on individual values of the client, within the family context. On the other the structural approach relies on the structure of the family rather than the individual traits of the client. The “alignment” features of family structure contains the same interests of the members and involvement of two family members to third member and the “power” of a family structure revolves around the head the family and his or her influence on the final output of a family activity (Allyn & Bacon, 1998, p.4). The structural theoretical frame work of family therapy regulates the involvement of every family member. The “explicit” and the “implicit “contract and the client centered approaches of the therapy differentiate it from narrative theoretical frame work of family therapy (Allyn & Bacon, 1998, p.4). In narrative frame work, the clients get a chance to “re-author” their stories, and through this re-telling the clients will come to know about themselves (Allyn & Bacon, 1998, p.1). Q-3: Discuss the idea of reframing and its clinical significance and working with families: Use one or both families in the films to support your answer by providing a clear example. The idea of reframing is a concept where the therapist asks same questions to two members of the same family. This is intended to derive different perspectives of an issue in hand so as to explore and understand their real problem. In narrative family therapy session, the social worker asks first to Ollie about the ‘good boy’ reputation and he states that “I don’t disrespect people” (Narrative Therapy, 2005). He further tells the social worker that his mom also believes the same. Then the social worker seeks the mom’s opinion and her response corroborates the answer of Ollie. The mom replies to social worker that her boy “Doesn’t use bad words against anyone” (Narrative Therapy, 2005). In this session, the social worker ensures the character of the Ollie, the boy who is punished by court. This clinical technique helps the social worker to identify the facts about a certain case and find solution for the family problems. Q-4: How does each approach use the skills related to the beginning, middle (demand for work skills) and termination phases of practices? Give examples: In beginning stage, the social worker explores the problem of the family through discussion with the client. The strategies at this stage will involve recognizing the purpose and role and well as evaluating the obstacles. Also, the relevant feedback needs to be obtained from the client. To identify the problem, the social worker asks questions to Ollie about the fight with his classmate. In the middle stage, the social worker collects the maximum data from Ollie and his mother so as to assess and evaluate the problem. At this stage it is necessary to employ relevant skills in understanding the client’s problem and show empathy. There needs to be a sense of urgency and the therapist must be able to discern the meaning of the client’s struggle and emotion. The social worker asks the same question to Ollie and her Mom to understand the different aspects of the problem and directed the session with simple and relevant questions that will facilitate a realistic understanding of the situation. In the termination phase, the social worker must be able to acknowledge ending feelings, recognize any negative implications, to identify major learning outcomes and any further work required. In the instant case study, the therapist helps Ollie to understand the situation. By going through the court order and punishments the social worker helps Ollie and his mother in appreciating the importance of such an issue. Documentation of therapy sessions and reporting it to an appropriate authority is also important for a better treatment for client’s problem as well as to serve as guidelines for other therapists. In structural frame work, the therapist addresses the problem and makes sure the participation of the every family member. In Pam’s structural therapy session the counselor observes the power of the father and providing suggestions to Pam about the significance “of being responsible adult” (Structural Family Therapy, 2005). Q-5: What do you see as highly significant points in each family session and why? The structural and narrative family framework mainly focuses on solving family problems through a professional approach. During the narrative therapy session, Ollie and his mother narrate the story and the social worker asks about various aspects of the story by leading them to reveal relevant information necessary to understand specific situations and problems. In structural frame work, the problems and challenges among a family can be identified and the counselor explains the boundaries and provides suggestions to the members to re-organize the structure of their family. Q-6: Do you think the outcome would be the same or different if Pam and her family were seen by a narrative family therapist and Ollie and his mother were seen by a structural family therapist (Explain your answers): The outcome would be different if Pam and her family are seen by a narrative family therapist and Ollie and his mother were seen by a structural family therapist. The Narrative therapy does not involve issues in depth. It focuses on Ollie’s role as a member of the family and works to instill in him a sense of his values and role. On the other hand, in the other case, the focus is on her father as the head of the family. Pam and her family need to resolve their problems through the systematic suggestions of a therapist. If Pam and her family are seen by the narrative family therapist, later only attends the re-authoring session. In this case the main focus would have been on the client’s abilities and values. Pam’s problem needs to be diagnosed and her family needs solution through various counseling techniques. The structural therapy addresses the issues and provides options to their client to solve the problems in their life. If Ollie and his mother were seen by a structural therapist, the counseling will focus on solving the problems of Ollie first and then consider the family. Q-7: As you think of working from a strengths based frame, what aspects from each approach could you use in your practice? The approach of narrative theoretical frame work provides more space to the clients to explain their challenges and problems. But the orientation of structural frame work and the manner in which the therapy addresses the issue of clients is more effective. The “externalizing” approach of narrative therapy and the client centered approach of structural therapy in a family therapy practice will help an individual in attaining better results. Q-8: In what ways did this assignment reinforce or add to your understanding of work with families? Are there ways in which you could use this knowledge in your current or past field work? The focus of this assignment has been on therapy in the family context. Since I am working with behavior problem of adolescents, this assignment helped me in understanding the effects of different therapies in varying family settings. In the modern world, adolescents confront problems of varying nature and magnitude. Aligning their therapy with family members will help the social worker to correctly recognize their problems and identifying the right intervention strategies. By integrating the family into the therapy, the intervention will be more effective and the family will be able to better understand the client’s needs. The learning from this assignment will help me in the proper evaluation of the client’s needs and to develop appropriate strategies in any current and future practices. Reference List Allyn & Bacon, (1998). Narrative Therapy. Print. Narrative Therapy. (2005). 4 Shared.com. Retrieved from Structural Family Therapy. (2005). 4 Shared.com. Retrieved from Read More