UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION SCIENCES MFTS 523 Marriage and Family Therapy Theories and Application I Spring 2009- SYLLABUS Instructor: Larry Chamow, PhD Office Phone: (760) 434-1416 ex. 2 Email address: chamow2713@roadrunner.com COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are exposed to the fundamental assumptions of systems theory and the models of marriage and family therapy by this way of thinking. Models of therapy covered in the class include: structural, strategic, solution focused, narrative and internal family systems therapy. Clinical assessment and the application of treatment techniques will also be examined. The application of these theories will be explored and critically evaluated, using group presentations, role plays and experiential activities. COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed, as a complement to MFT 524: Marriage and Family Theories and Application B, to introduce you to the basic theories of marriage and family therapy. The primary goal of the course is to give you the theoretical foundation you will need for your work as a marriage and family therapist. The application of the theories to practice is also integral to the course. At the completion of the course, you should expect to: 1. Be familiar with specific theories and treatment techniques as described in the course. 2. Be able to assess family systems arid conceptualize treatment plans for those systems. 3. Understand the role of the therapist and some of the contextual variables (e.g. culture, gender, etc.) as they impact family systems. 4. Be able to begin to integrate theory and practice in the treatment of family systems TEXTS: Nichols, M. P. and Schwartz, R.C., (2008) Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods (8th Edition) Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Dattillio, F. (Ed.) (1998) Case Studies in Couple and Family Therapy, New York: Guilford A Packet of Readings will be available through the library (ERES) INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT: This course will combine lecture, discussion, role plays, group presentations and case material. Students with disabilities or special needs should contact the instructor early in the semester so special arrangements can be made to accommodate them.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: EXAMS: There will be a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will be a short answer exam which will focus primarily on the application of theory and treatment techniques to clinical material. The final exam will contain objective (multiple choice) questions. The final exam is comprehensive and will contain material primarily from the text and class. PRESENTATION: Class members will divide into small groups. The group will provide an overview of a theory and a critique of treatment effectiveness. The theories will include strategic, structural, solution focused, narrative and internal family systems therapy. A series of questions will be provided to assist in your presentation. Please address question where you apply the theory or techniques to your own experience. You may present, invite class participation, use video*, role play, graphic presentations or another medium in presenting. One group member should serve as a moderator to help provide continuity to the presentation. Each group presentation should be about an hour. You will receive a Group Presentation grade of up to 15 points. This grade will be based upon the overall quality of the presentation and will consider clarity, organization, creativity and comprehensiveness. PAPER: (Be specific and use examples) Write a paper which discusses the presentation and includes the following two sections: 1) Personal reflections- What about the theory resonates with your own belief about therapy? What is different? How does the role of the therapist fit with your own belief about therapy? **Apply the theory to any of your own life experiences (past or present) How do you think approach might have worked with your family or other relationships? Use examples to illustrate your ideas. 2) Presentation How did you feel about your role in preparing and working with the group? Discuss your reactions and feelings about your participation. Was it your usual role in group tasks?. .explain. . .What did you learn about yourself from the experience? How might it apply to your development as a therapist? Discuss your reactions and feelings about your participation. 3) References -Submit an annotated bibliography (include a critical commentary on each reference) in response to your presentation with your paper Be specific and use examples. Original thinking and offering some depth to your discussion is encouraged. *if you plan to show a video in class, please check with the instructor **required You can receive a total of 20 points on the paper. 1. Presentation- 10 points 2. Reflections- 10 points Typed, Double Spaced 5-6 pages. Due one week following your presentation. (If your paper is late there will be a 2 point reduction)
ATTENDANCE: The MFT Department has attendance guidelines. Anymore than two absences may result in an incomplete or a failure in the course. Please notify the instructor if you are going to miss a class. Please try to be on time. If you have a problem arriving to class on time, please discuss it with the instructor. Grade Scale: Group presentation 15 Points Paper 20 Points Midterm Exam 40 Points Final Exam 55 Points Total Possible 130 Points Final Grades: 116 - 130 103- 115 91- 102 86 - 90 85 or below
A B C D F
(89%) (79%) (70%) (66%) (65%)
A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE AND WHO PETITIONS FOR AN “INCOMPLETE” WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF “INCOMPLETE”. IF THE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET SATISFACTORILY BY THE END OF THE TENTH WEEK OF THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER, THE INCOMPLETE WILL REVERT TO A GRADE OF “FAIL”.
Larry Chamow, PhD Spring 2009
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY THEORIES AND APPLICATIONS, MFT 523 : COURSE SCHEDULE AND READINGS 1/26
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE What if Family Therapy were a kind of Psychotherapy
2/2
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT & INTERVIEWING Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 3 Diversity: Where Do You Stand? (Handout) ESTABLISHING GOALS AND TREATMENT PLANNING
2/9
INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL THERAPY Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 7 Dattillo, Chapter 5
2/16
STRUCTURAL FAMILY THERAPY Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 7 Joining, Minuchin, Family Techniques Dattillo, Chapter 5
2/23
STRATEGIC THERAPY Differences and similarities in Strategic and Structural Therapy Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 6 Dattillio, Chapter 6
3/2
STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS
3/9
No Class – Spring Break
3/16
MID TERM EXAMINATION
SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY 3/23 & 3/30
Solution focused therapy: Toward the differentiation of therapeutic tasks Solution focused principles In praise of solutions Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 12 Dattillo, Chapter 9
4/13 – No Class Easter Break 4/6 & 4/20
NARRATIVE THERAPY The Third Wave
Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 13 Dattillo, Chapters 13 and 16 4/27
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY Internal Family Systems Model Rescuing the exiles Our multiple selves The Larger Self Nichols and Schwartz, Pgs. 229-232 Dattillo, Chapter 14
5/4
CLINICAL APPLICATION AND INTEGRATION Nichols and Schwartz, Chapter 14 Dattillo, Chapter 10
5/11
FINAL EXAMINATION
MFT 523 - THE APPLICATION OF TECHNIQUES AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT THEORY
TECHNIQUE/SKILL
GENERAL
ASSESSMENT Developing hypothesis, rules, roles, power BASIC COUNSELING SKILLSUse of questions, empathy, listening, pacing
STRUCTURAL
ASSESSMENT Structure, subsystems, boundaries, dysfunction INTERVENTION Joining, TREATMENT enactment, unbalancing, alter boundaries
STRATEGIC
ASSESSMENT Purpose of the symptom INTERVENTION Reframe TREATMENT Compliance, paradox, ritual
SOLUTION FOCUSED
INTERVENTION Joining- normalizing ASSESSMENT Scaling Q’s TREATMENT Formula Tasks, Scaling Q’s, Miracles Q’s, Exception Q’s
NARRATIVE
INTERVENTION Joining- Questions regarding the clients story TREATMENT Use of Questions, Deconstruction Externalizing, re-authoring, circulating a new story
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
ASSESSMENT Identifying Parts-managers, exiles, firefighters TREATMENT Separating parts, accessing self, going inside
INTEGRATION
ASSESSMENT Identifying key factors TREATMENT Choosing a theory, integrating techniques
Group Presentation QUESTIONS: 1. What are the major theoretical constructs? 2. What kinds of clients and /or problems does this theory seem to be most effective? 3. What research support does the theory have? 4. What are the key treatment techniques and what is their purpose? 5. How does the theory address issues of gender difference and cultural diversity? 6. How would you describe the role of the therapist? 7. Discuss issues such as joining, length of treatment, common goals of therapy. 8. How does the theory address psychopathology? 9. How did you apply the theory or techniques to your own experiences?