Case Conceptualization in Family Therapy

Michael D. Reiter, Ph.D., LMFT, is Professor in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences at Nova Southeastern University. He received a dual master’s degree (Master of Education and Educational Specialist) in Counselor Education with sub-specializations in Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Florida, and a doctorate in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. Michael is a Clinical Fellow and an Approved Supervisor from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. He has written extensively, and presented nationally and internationally on various aspect of solution-focused brief therapy. His first textbook, Therapeutic Interviewing: Essential Skills and Contexts of Counseling, published by Pearson, provides readers with the basic skills to engage in the therapeutic process.

• Table of ContentsCase Conceptualization in Family TherapyPrefaceCh. 1 Developing Case ConceptualizationsI. The Importance of Having a Conceptual LensII. Developing a Conceptualizationa. Bowen Natural Systems Theoryb. Contextual Therapyc. Satir Growth Modeld. Brief Therapy: Mental Research Institutee. Strategic Family Therapyf. Milan Systemic Family Therapyg. Structural Family Therapyh. Solution Focused Brief Therapyi. Narrative TherapyIII. Case Conceptualizationa. Models of Case ConceptualizationIV. Common Factors of Therapya. Extratherapeutic Factorsb. Relationship Factorsc. Expectancy, Hope, & Placebo Factorsd. Model and Technique FactorsV. The Approach Fitting the PersonCh. 2 The Case: The Mosley FamilyI. Current State of the FamilyII. History of the Nuclear FamilyIII. Stephen's Family-of-OriginIV. Miranda's Family-of-OriginCh. 3 Bowen Natural Systems Theory (Christopher F. Burnett & Michael D. Reiter)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Individual Constituents of the Emotional Systemb. Emotional Trianglesc. The Concept of Differentiation of Selfd. Entering Therapye. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Goals of Therapyb. Genogramsc. Family Evaluationd. PrognosisIII. Case TranscriptCh. 4 Contextual Therapy (Catherine Ducommon-Nagy & Michael D. Reiter)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. The Five Dimensions of Relational Realityi. The Dimension of Factsii. The Dimension of Individual Psychologyiii. The Dimension of Transactionsiv. The Dimension of Relational Ethics1. Reciprocity in Close Relationships2. Destructive Entitlement3. Parentification4. Loyalties5. Intergenerational Legacies6. Invisible Loyalty7. Split Loyaltiesv. The Ontic Dimension1. The Dialectic Definition of the Self2. The Paradoxical Definition of Autonomyb. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. The Goals of Therapyi. Definition of Healthii. The Goals of Therapyiii. Constructive Entitlementb. Multidirected Partialityi. The Therapeutic Contractii. The Methodology of Multidirected Partialityiii. Multidirected Partiality as a Strategyc. The Process of Therapyd. The Role of the Therapiste. Termination of Therapyi. ExonerationIII. Case TranscriptCh. 5 Satir Growth Model (Michael D. Reiter & Jean McLendon)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Familiesb. Symptomsc. Self-Worthd. Communicatione. Communication Stancesf. Connectionsg. Philosophy of Peopleh. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Goals of Therapyb. The Person of the Therapistc. The Process of Therapyd. Stages of Therapye. Techniquesf. Termination of TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 6 Brief Therapy: Mental Research Institute (Michael D. Reiter & Wendel A. Ray)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. First and Second Order Changeb. Problems/Complaintsc. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Who to Invite to Therapyb. The Process of Therapyc. Client Positiond. Interventionse. Termination of TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 7 Strategic Family Therapy (Michael D. Reiter & Wendel A. Ray)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Problems/Symptomsb. Family Life Cyclec. Family Organizationd. Communicatione. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Goals of Therapyb. Process of Therapyc. Giving Directivesd. Termination of TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 8 Milan Systemic Family Therapy (Michael D. Reiter & Shelley Green)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Families as Systemsb. Controlc. Labelsd. Family Myths and Premisese. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Techniques of Therapyi. Positive Connotationii. Ritualb. Three Guidelines of Therapyi. Hypothesizingii. Circularityiii. Neutralityc. Questionsd. Format of the Sessione. Ending TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 9 Structural Family Therapy (Jay Lappin & Michael D. Reiter)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. The Family Referralb. Structural Family Therapy: A System for Changing Systemsc. Seeing Differentlyd. The Therapist's Use of Selfe. Family Developmentf. Couple/Partner Formation: The Mosleysg. Families with School Age & Adolescent Childrenh. Boundariesi. Maps: A Bridge between Problem & Resolutionj. Cultural Considerationsk. A Word About Larger SystemsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Forming the Therapeutic Systemi. Joining: Close, Median, Distant Positionsii. Joining: Close Positioniii. Joining: Median Position and Trackingiv. Joining: Distant Positionv. Enactmentsd. Techniques Provoking Disequilibrium and Changei. Reframingii. Boundary Making & Unbalancingiii. Focuse. Termination of TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 10 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (Michael D. Reiter & Arlene Brett-Gordon)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Complaintsb. The Three Rulesc. Desire for Changed. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Building on What is Presentb. Goalsc. Changed. Expectationse. Questionsi. Pretreatment Change Questionsii. Exceptions Questionsiii. Scaling Questionsiv. Miracle Questionsv. What Else Questionsf. Process of Therapyg. Interventionsh. Termination of TherapyIII. Case TranscriptCh. 11 Narrative Therapy (Michael D. Reiter & James Hibel)I. Theory of Problem Formationa. Storiesb. Unique Outcomesc. Landscape of Storiesd. Cultural ConsiderationsII. Theory of Problem Resolutiona. Process of Therapyi. Externalizing Conversationsii. Re-authoring Conversations