Communications and Experiential Family Therapy

Communications and Experiential Family Therapy

Virginia Satir Carl Whitaker

Concepts to watch for: The Primacy of the experience –

“Existence precedes essence,” “thoughts and feelings are attempts to understand our world, but the experience of life comes first.” Those who are only intellectualizing are not fully alive.

Affect – Families who are not in touch with their experience and emotionally dead.

Concepts to watch for: The Person of the Therapist –

Experiential family therapists (all counselors) participate actively and personally in the session. They do not attempt to hide behind a therapeutic mask, but risk being vulnerable and open. Self-disclosure, and congruency and transparency are vital.

Spontaneity and Creativity – non rational and creative experiences are important to provide for the family (client).

Concepts to watch for: Freedom, Holism, and Existential

Anxiety – Freedom – choice not fate, awareness of death, finality of life.

I-Thou relationship – among family members and with the world, and starting with the therapist/client.

Present-centeredness – Immediate experience and person-to-person encounters.

Communications School Early MRI emphasized

communications All behavior is communication Communication has both a Report and

a Command Communication has both analogue

and digital parts Meta communication is

communication about communication.

The double bind Two or more persons in an important

relationship. Repeated experience. A primary negative injunction, such as “Don’t

do X or I will punish you. A second injunction at a more abstract level

conflicting with the first, also enforced by punishment or perceived threat.

A tertiary negative injunction prohibiting escape and demanding a response Without this restriction the “victim” won’t feel bound;

The complete set of ingredients is no longer necessary after the victim is conditioned.

Existentialism

Existentialism, a philosophy that examines the immediacy of the problems of life i.e., the condition of humans, the state of being free, and of having to use freedom in order to answer the ever-changing and unexpected challenges of the day. Existentialists have the starting point for every philosophical investigation as human existence -- the human personality itself, my “me,” your "you" -- whose drama of life, brought under critical analysis, should point the way to the absolute value of reality.

Phenomenology – we all create and experience our own reality separate from what is real – out there.

Search for meaning – we strive to understand what is all about.

Satir- Outline Humanistic perspective View of human nature Source of motivation Development of pathology Nature of change Therapeutic relationship

Satir- Humanistic Perspective

Techniques Carl Rogers

Fritz Perls Existentialists

Satir- Humanistic Perspective

Goal of humanistic therapy is to increase awareness of options and potential Make choices Increase autonomy and self-actualization

Satir- Philosophical tenets

Relationship is encounter between two people at any moment

Strength of relationship based on strength of self-concept

Satir- View of human nature

Geared to survival, growth, getting close to others.

Humans are limited in ways of “knowing” self

Satir- Source of motivation

Communication Self-worth

Satir- Development of pathology

Inability to form relationships. Ineffective communication


Ineffective communication- Convey self incongruently Variable to adapt to present context Does not elicit feedback Denial of impulses Suppression of feelings Families are locked into self-protection

and avoidance Emotional deadness


Families are cold; tend to stay together out of habit or duty.

Families lack warmth to themselves and others Couples live together in quiet desperation. Adults don’t seem to enjoy their children. Ineffective communication types

Placater Blamer Computer Distractor

Satir- Nature of change

Goal of treatment- Increased self-worth Clear, direct, honest

communication Flexible and appropriate roles Open and hopeful links to society

Satir- Therapeutic relationship

Seen as resource person. Serve as experienced observer. Model good communication. Teach clients effective

communication. Aware of possibilities for

interactions in therapy

Satir- Stages of therapy

Opening phone call. Discover who is in family. Ages of members. Importance of members. Parenting roles


Initial session- Clarify family expectations Explain nature of family therapy Explore symptoms Reflect puzzlement of good intentions Family study


Family Life Chronology- (First 2 sessions) Courtship history Early married life Marital expectations Plan and arrival of each child

Satir- Therapeutic relationship-

Emphasize equality in relationship

Encourage client’s to elicit feedback from therapist

Make “I value you” statements (well, we know you have good seed)

Satir- Techniques

Improve self-worth- Identify client strengths Ask questions on client’s area of expertise Note achievements in family history Accentuate good intentions Questions on bringing happiness to others

Satir- Techniques

Improve communication- Do not allow members to block communication Do not allow members to speak for each other Encourage client’s to ask for clarification Interpret family messages


Termination- Complete transactions, clear messages Improved perceptions of self, others perceptions Disagree Make choices

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Carl Whitaker

Whitaker- Philosophy Nontheoretical approach Moment-to-moment interchange Whitaker-

Carl Whitaker’s View of human nature

Healthy families: Process of perpetual becoming.

Three generations that maintain autonomy.

Flexible roles. Flexible power distribution

Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families:

Use constructive input. Develop “as if” structure. Allowed to be crazy. Develop functional realities

Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families:

Aware of stress of members. Express positive and negative

feelings. Respect intimacy and separation. Encourage outside relationships

Whitaker- Source of motivation

Grow despite adversities. Parents grown from difficulties

with their children. Deal with symptoms as growth

Whitaker- Development of pathology

Discomfort with growth. Inflexibility. Resistant to change.

Whitaker- Nature of change

Goal of therapy is to encourage change and growth

Whitaker- Therapeutic relationship

Use of co-therapists. Share opinions of family. Use of children as co-

therapists. Model healthy adult

functioning

Whitaker-Stages of therapy

Initial phone call-Insist on all members

Whitaker- Stages of therapy

Battle for structure. Therapists initially control

structure of session, time, cost, location.

Insist on all members present

Whitaker- Stages of treatment

Initial session. Address father first. Assess for subgroups


Battle for initiative Insist that family members make change Exchange control of sessions


Battle for bilaterality Family can leave treatment at any time Flight into health

Whitaker- Techniques Redefinition of symptoms as growth. Use fantasy alternatives. Assign members to change roles. Augment despair of members. Engage in affective confrontation. Treat children like children. Separate interpersonal stress from

fantasy stress. Highlight family revolution. Extended family reunion. Use of consultation

Whitaker- Stages of treatment

Termination Express feelings to family

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Documents

Communications and Experiential Family Therapy