This assignment focuses on a case study in chapter thirteen of our Orvashel, et al, (2001) textbook. In this case study, we learn about a 12-year-old, 6th grader by the name of Jack, who lives with his parents and younger 9-year-old sister. He has been referred for outpatient services for a worsening of OCD symptoms over the last several months. While Jack was diagnosed approximately three years ago, his ability to cope with OCD has become increasingly problematic. In an assigned video this week we hear an OCD sufferer describe the fears associated with it as a mental torture in which you realize the irrationality of your thoughts and actions, but feel compelled toward them nonetheless (Mayo Clinic, 2008).
A child’s play is an intrinsically motivated, nonliteral and imaginative activity that provides them with a nonverbal mode of communication while facilitating development (Landreth, 2002; VanFleet, et al, 2010). Children are strongly motivated to engage in activities that capture their attention and reflect their inner world. As a therapist, play therapy allows us a view of a child’s beliefs, feelings, intentions, and perceptions (VanFleet, et al, 2010). The therapist’s role is to establish a relationship with children through play and create a safe environment that is accepting, respectful, and sensitive to their needs, (Play Therapy, Basics for Beginning Students, 2006). In doing so, it is important for a therapist to adjust his interventions to suit a child’s unique needs. Communication must be adapted to a child’s developmental needs, cultural perspective, and life experiences (Landreth, 2002; VanFleet, et al, 2010). Below, I provide an overview of how every child’s needs might vary and how to adapt accordingly.
In therapy, we give to others based on who we are, and not what we know. Landreth, (2002), asserts this is especially true for when working with children. Creating a therapeutic atmosphere, displays of personal courage, and self-understanding, are important for therapists when working with children (Landreth, 2002). Below, I describe each of these qualities and discuss areas in need of improvement.
For the second part of this paper, an article will be reviewed that is titled: “Behavioral Couple Therapy: Building a Secure Base for Therapeutic Integration” (Gurman, 2013). This article begins with a historical overview of how individual and couples-oriented behavioral therapies have developed. At the conclusion of this paper, are comments on how Integrative Behavioral Couple’s Therapy can help a practitioner provide a secure base for couples.
Ahrons, et al, (2006), describe the binuclear family as a concept that helps normalize a broken home situation in a healthy way. This term refers to situations in which one family member lives in two homes as the result of divorce. (Ahrons, et al, 2006). Since nobody in my extended family has ever divorced, my experience with binuclear situation is very limited. For this reason, I find it interesting that unresolved conflict is the norm in a binuclear family situation. Upon learning this fact, I’ve stopped to examine my personal beliefs about conflict. In my family of origin, conflict is conceived of in a highly negative manner. My parents are college professors who tend to “lead” with their intellect. As a result emotions take a back seat and issues were “discussed” calmly. This typical manner of handling issues stands in stark contrast to shows such as “Rosanne”, which my mother always hated. According to here, it was off putting because everybody was rude to one another. To this day, as a result of those experiences, I tend to have difficulty with conflict.
In a video Dr. Imber-Black (Family Secrets, 2006), defines secrets as information which is withheld from someone that produces distress and shame as well as create symptoms of dysfunction in a family. Keeping secrets requires a degree of heightened tension and anxiety. Communication is less open and individuals are less emotionally present. For the secret-keeper a feeling of shame perpetuates the secrete and an anxious worry that “if you knew you wouldn’t love me anymore” pervades their thinking (Family Secrets, 2006). In contrast the person unaware of this secret, exists in the family as an outsider within the system.
Metcalf (2011) states that CBT family therapy is based on Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. Behavioral origins include skinner’s operant conditioning and Pavlov’s classical conditioning. From this perspective, the cognitive processes people utilize are important when trying to understand how they make sense of their reality. The behavioral influences provide insight on how beliefs and behaviors are observed and replicated in families. With all this in mind, change occurs in CBT family therapy when new ways of thinking and interaction are allowed to occur. This therapy is a present-oriented approach requires a direct and active role of therapists.
