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Family Therapy Essay

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Introduction We are all born in a family be it you were raised by extended family, they are family nonetheless and regardless of environment, race, culture or other factors, all families face significant issues and conflicts to them. Family Therapy is an approach that aims to help families develop communication skills, conflict resolution skills and build strength and resilience for present or future issues families may face. In this essay I discuss Family Therapy and dive a bit deeper into its key concepts, techniques used and the relationship between a client and therapist. Furthermore, its application in multicultural context is analysed and lastly I point out potential strengths and weaknesses the Family approach may encounter.
Family …show more content…

[11] Therapists avoid pathologising these members or any other member for that matter, they rather seek to hypothesise how an individual's "symptoms" or challenges might be connected to the dynamics within the family. What most families and mine included tend to forget is that symptoms are not signs of inherent illness, but rather survival strategies within the family context. While these strategies might provide temporary relief, they can lead to chaos in the long term. …show more content…

I noticed subtle hints of trouble in their marriage, and if they had reassured us that it was just a temporary challenge and they were working through it, it would have eased the confusion and anxiety felt by the rest of the family at the time. [26]
My father like most African men is a traditional man devoted to his African values and way of life. He does not necessarily believe in Western concepts and so he might not recognise the importance of Family Therapy despite his significant role in the family. This can create a setback for my family and most families, and the therapist during the therapeutic process. [27]
Family therapy encounter emotionally charged issues as it delves into sensitive and highly emotional topics. When discussions become intense, family members may react defensively, becoming emotionally reactive and exacerbating conflicts. [28] This stems from members not taking accountability for their behaviours and trying to shift

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