Applying Bowenian and Structural Theories
SOCW 6456: Social Work Practice With Couples and Family Systems
Treatment Plan Template
Identified strengths:
Identified problems/deficits:
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Long-Term Goal(s): | Short-Term Goals | Objectives | Strategies | Expected Outcome
(With Time Frame) |
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· Pam will attend four individual sessions and the other six with her parents
· Pam will highlight the negative aspects that affect communication ability during the sessions |
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Theory-Based Treatment Plans The Bowenian Family Therapy The Bowenian Family therapy was developed by Murray Bowen. The therapy highlights several concepts that are critical in application and understanding. These include differentiation, multigenerational transmission, nuclear family, emotional system, emotional triangle, sibling position, societal regression, and family projection process (Kim-Appel & Appel, 2015). The eight constructs are interconnected, requiring therapists to understand all at once. Bowen’s theory holds one basic assumption that posits the natural occurrence of anxiety for all living human beings. This theory lays emphasis on the entire instead of just one individual who is thought to have a problem. In this family, using Bowenian Family Therapy is likely to lead to an improvement of all three family members, thus exceeding the set goals. In such a case, Pam’s parents would also learn how to communicate with their daughter effectively. In addition, the mother would learn how to initiate a close interaction with the daughter. The parents would also learn how to interact with Pam and obtain the desired responses during communication. Most importantly, Pam would learn how to manage her anger and communicate within and beyond the family setting. She will also learn how to respond to her mother’s desire for connection. These objectives will be achieved through communication among the three family members, which offers the therapist an opportunity to identify underlying issues that may be leading to the current situation. In addition, Bowenian therapy highlights the reliability of cognition as opposed to emotions. It is likely that all three family members are led by their emotions more than their cognition. Pam’s father tends to get angry when Pam does not respond to questions. Pam’s mother prefers to remain at work as opposed to staying at home, even if she confesses to disliking her job. Pam does not seem to understand her behaviors and states that she does not have any people she loves to spend time with. The mother also feels bad because Pam does not spend time with her, which affects their relationship (Bowenian Family Therapy, 2021). These observations speak to the individual’s feelings and barely to their understanding of the reasons behind each person’s behavior or their role in the current situation. Thus, the Bowenian theory could provide a cognitive perspective of the entire situation. The Structural Family Therapy This therapy also addresses the entire family or group before the individual. The therapy allows therapists to identify norms in the family that lead to the negative dynamics that are reported or observed. This is one of the main reasons that this therapy is applicable to the family in question. However, the therapy involves directing the family members to take certain steps, which is termed as cooperation. The family’s cooperation determines the period of therapy (Horne, 2021). While using the therapy, improvement of communication among all family members is expected. Pam and her parents have communication issues. At the same time, the parents are convinced that Pam is the one with a problem. Pam mainly reports a lack of knowledge regarding her behavior. She can barely explain to a therapist her reasons for behaving the way she does. In this case, it is important to identify certain norms, such as anger management issues, that could impede efficient communication among the family members. Pam’s age (32 years) may explain her behavior partially because her parents may be controlling. However, her developmental issues also come in the way of her social abilities. Creating strategies for the parents to cope with her development issues is necessary because they will understand her needs and wants without feeling provoked or unheard of (Structural Family Therapy, 2021). ReferencesBowenian Family Therapy. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-xd7M56yIs Horne, C. (2021). What Is Structural Family Therapy (SFT)? Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/family/what-is-structural-family-therapy-sft/ Kim-Appel, D., & Appel, J. K. (2015). Bowenian family systems theory: Approaches and applications. In Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (pp. 185-213). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Structural Family Therapy. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCvozPABmb0 |
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Question
Applying Bowenian and Structural Theories
APA 7 format and class is social work. The textbook for the class is:
Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
- Chapter 9, “Bowen Family Systems Couple Coaching”
- Chapter 13, “Structural Couple Therapy”
Theory-based treatment planning, the type you will use throughout this course, is informed and guided by your theoretical orientation. Incorporating your theoretical orientation into treatment planning will help you set goals and choose treatment techniques and interventions appropriate for the client(s) you serve (Gehart & Tuttle, 2003). This week, you apply two counseling theories, Bowenian and structural, to formulate your treatment planning and apply appropriate interventions.In this Assignment, you watch videos of counselors demonstrating the use of Bowenian and structural theories in family counseling. You then formulate treatment plans for the couples and/or families in the videos, applying the theories in question and justifying the use of appropriate interventions.The Assignment (2–3 pages)
Based on the theory demonstrated in both videos:
- Define the problem in each video.
- Create a theory-based treatment plan, including short- and long-term goals for the couples and/or families.
- Explain two theory-based interventions you would use and justify your selection.
- Explain one anticipated outcome of each theory-based intervention.
Videos to be reviewed are: