One semester/teaching period

36

External Venue, Hawthorn

HAW420 HAW420 Special Issues in Family Therapy 1 and HAW423 HAW423 Special Issues in Family Therapy 2

Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) program

Aims & Objectives:

This subject aims to familiarize students with the theory and research on individual, couple and family development and attachment processes within their cultural context. It will provide an opportunity for students to learn to recognize and describe different forms of attachment and development processes. The aim of this subject is also to engage students in the practical application of attachment and development theory in systemic clinical work with families and couples.
A further aim of this subject is to introduce students to a number of traditional schools of couples’ therapy and to provide the opportunity to explore some of the major issues in the field. It will:
* provide a theoretical frame of reference for clinical work by exploring the major schools of couples and family therapy.
* illustrate the different schools of systemic therapy with video presentations.
* explore some of the major issues of the field.
* facilitate practice with therapeutic skills in role plays and other experiential exercises.

Teaching Methods:

Lectures and seminars

Assessment:

Case study presentation (Oral and written (2000 words)): 50%
Seminar paper (2000 words) 50%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

* written and oral communication skills
* communication skills
* research skills
* ability to work both independently and within a team
* ability to apply interpersonal engagement skills

Content:

Students will develop their understanding of systemic therapeutic approaches as they can be applied to relationship counselling with couples and families. The effect of students’ attachment experiences will be explored especially as it promotes understanding of not only students’ own families but also the dynamics of the client-therapist alliance. Students will also have their knowledge of systemic therapy expanded with particular reference to schools of couples and family therapy, including Murray Bowen and the family of origin; structural family therapy; strategic family therapy; Milan systemic family therapy.

Reading Materials:

Berg, I.K. & Dolan, Y. (2000). Tales of solutions – a collection of hope-inspiring stories, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, London, 2000.
Fogel, Al., (2006). Change in relationships: a relational-historical research approach. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Johnson,S,M. & Whiffen,V.E. (Eds.) (2003). Attachment process in couples and family therapy. Guilford, New York.
O’Hanlon, B. & Beadle, S., A guide to possibility land. W. W. Norton & Company, New York, London, 1999.
Stern, D.N. (2004). The present moment in psychotherapy and everyday life. Norton, New York
Snyder, D.K., & Whisman,M.A., (Eds.) (2003). Treating difficult couples. Guilford, New York,
Other reading materials will be set in class.