Journal of Family Therapy最新文献

This study aims to explore trainees' experience of a training programme in family therapy and systemic practice at VID Specialized University of Oslo. A phenomenological mixed methods approach was used. Thirty-one trainees completed a questionnaire after their first and second years, and focus groups were conducted with 7–10 participants on both occasions. The results show significant correlations between the applicability of the programme, trainees' sense of competence, personal development, likelihood to recommend the programme and general satisfaction. After the first year, the trainees were mainly focused on their new knowledge about the systemic perspective, while after the second year, they experienced the complexity of being family therapists and systemic practitioners, integrating their new knowledge with their job and life. Findings highlight that theoretical knowledge, trainees' reflections on professional and personal experiences, supervision and peer learning are closely intertwined key elements for a systemic family therapy training.

Several evidence-based couple therapies are available for reducing relational discord. Among these are Traditional Behavioural Couple Therapy (TBCT), Integrative Behavioural Couple Therapy (IBCT) and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT), each propagating a different treatment focus. TBCT aims to increase the frequency ratio of positive to negative partner behaviour, IBCT aims to enhance acceptance of partner behaviour and EFCT aims to make the underlying attachment bond more secure. To date, the explanatory power of the theoretical accounts underlying these therapies has never been directly compared. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional examination of the variances explained of relationship satisfaction and instability, by frequency and acceptance of partner behaviour and attachment, using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modelling in a convenience sample of 539 heterosexual couples. We found that all three conceptualizations were associated with relationship functioning. Acceptance and attachment explained the largest proportions of variance in satisfaction, whereas attachment explained the greatest portion of instability.

The research was conducted as part of a master's degree in systemic psychotherapy. It was informed by my developing systemic practice alongside my work as a clinical psychologist in a community learning disability service. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews transcribed near verbatim and analysed using Foucauldian discourse analysis. The analytic process considered discursive objects, wider discourse, action orientation, subject positions and subjectivity. Five constructions of the support worker relationship are presented, namely, the support worker relationship as professional, equal and shared, a thing that can be bought with money, a family and being watched/protected. These constructions were drawn from discourses regarding professionalism, independence, the law, equality and humanity, industry and economy, parenting and longevity, and impairment. Some constructions matched those in the literature. The list of constructions could be used as a therapeutic tool to consider how constructions might utilise different discourses to enable meanings, practices and positions to be adopted or abandoned.

This article aims to demonstrate the significance of collaboration and mutual learning from the perspective of a narrative and systemic family therapist working as an outsider in the field of genetics and genetic counselling. The author proposes that systemic family therapy and narrative practices can contribute to the field of genetics, specifically genetic counselling. This paper focusses on the use of systemic family therapy (SFT) and narrative therapy (NT) concepts in the context of genetic counselling supervision. It explores additional ways to influence family discussions regarding genetic testing and diagnosis through a series of podcasts addressing genetics. The objective of this paper is to encourage curiosity and involvement.

A new version of the Systemic Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation (C-SCORE) was developed for use with couples to assess, plan and monitor progress in therapy. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of C-SCORE in an international community sample of 300 participants. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that a twenty-two-item, five-factor version of C-SCORE best fit the data. The scale and its factor sub-scales had good internal consistency and test–retest reliability over a 1-month period. C-SCORE showed good concurrent and construct validity as evidenced by significant associations with other measures of couple relational functioning, mental health and wellbeing and self-rated couple issues. These promising findings require further validation with a clinical sample.

As systemic practitioners, it is vital that marriage and family therapists continually develop their knowledge of how larger oppressive systems impact their clients. The purpose of this study was to explore how therapists approach the critical topics of race, gender and social justice in therapy. To expand on existing research, the present study utilised a qualitative thematic analysis to examine the experience of eleven marriage and family therapists (MFTs) of varying experience levels. Graduate students (n = 6), professors (n = 4) and clinicians in private practice also working as faculty (n = 1) were included. Results showed evidence of five themes which included: Personhood of the Therapist, Critical Mindset, Therapist Anxiety and Fear of Marginalisation, Effective Intervention and The Role of Supervision. This study contributes to expanding the literature on how therapists can provide culturally sensitive therapy, aid in evolving therapeutic techniques and work to improve therapeutic outcomes.

This study explored children's experiences of family therapy. A mosaic approach with reflexive thematic analysis was used as the guiding methodology. The participants comprised seven children between the ages of six and 11 years. Rich data was gathered through child-led tours, photographs of the therapy space, interviews and creative sessions with children plus interviews with five parents and four therapists. The findings indicate that the children considered family therapy to be an overall positive experience, thanks to the therapists, creative play-based approaches and a therapy space that catered for them. Prior to starting therapy, children require more information about therapy to feel at ease. Creative approaches, together with caregivers' involvement, were identified as essential therapeutic tools with which to engage children in talk and play. Children's increased agency throughout the termination process is also essential. Suggestions for practice include a pre-therapy booklet, using creative techniques as a primary tool when working with children, and ensuring an adequate therapy space. Suggestions for training include therapeutic skill development relating to working with children.  Suggestions for future research are also made. This study's strength is that it highlights and spotlights children's perspectives.

Day programmes designed for young people with restrictive eating disorders offer intensive treatment options for individuals who have not made satisfactory progress through outpatient treatment but do not require hospitalisation. Existing literature consistently shows positive outcomes in terms of weight gain, reduced eating disorder and comorbid symptomology. However, it is crucial to note that although many day programmes consider family-based treatment a core framework, research on treatment outcomes for parents and the relationship between parent outcomes and adolescent outcomes remains limited. The current pilot study evaluated parent (n = 20) and adolescent (n = 13) outcomes of a new day programme for adolescents with restrictive eating disorders and their families. Results showed significant improvements across body mass index, eating disorder and comorbid symptomatology for adolescents and improvements in parent self-efficacy, parent mental health and a reduction in eating disorder accommodating behaviours. The findings suggest several potential mediators of day programme outcomes that could be tested in future research.

This paper explores how experiences of support within the helping professions influence non-birth and/or non-gestational lesbian/queer co-mothers' understanding of their maternal identity. Drawing on Park's (2013) concept of monomaternalism, we explore how established norms of families as consisting of two biological opposite-sex parents impacted participating mothers. Five nonbiological and/or non-carrying/gestational mothers who had formed a family within a lesbian/queer couple relationship took part in the study. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach (Smith et al., 2009) was used. Three themes are explored: (1) co-mothers' experiences of normativity in professional encounters; (2) co-mothers' co-creation of their maternal selves; and (3) tension between the co-mother's constructed identity and the professional systems involved with her family. The study invites family therapists and systemic practitioners working with co-mothers and their families to consider the impact of heteronormativity and monomaternalism on their work. We hope to enrich understanding, broaden complexity and encourage practitioners to seek out and allow small and subjugated discourses to protect and include co-mothers and LGBTQ+ families.