Read “Topic 5: Vargas Family Case Study.” Write a   750-1,000-word paper in which you demonstrate how therapists apply   Strategic Family Therapy theories to analyze the presenting problems and choose appropriate interventions.

Be sure to answer the following questions in your paper:

1. How would Jay Haley or Chloe Madanes approach the current presenting problem? Identify and describe two interventions that they may use and why.
2. How would an MRI-style therapist approach the current presenting problem? Identify and describe two interventions that would be used and why.
3. How would a     Milan-style therapist approach the current presenting problem?     Identify and describe two interventions that would be used and why.

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Cite at least three academic sources (peer-reviewed journal articles, books, etc.).

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines in the APA   Style Guide in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

Paradoxical directives are used when a therapist thinks the family may resist a direct intervention. The therapist convinces the clients to keep their symptoms and slowly introduces directions that help to institute change (Goldenberg, Stanton, & Goldenberg, 2016). These directives commonly take two forms: prescriptive, when the therapists ask the client to do something, and descriptive, when the therapists relabel a behavior already being done positively (Goldenberg et al., 2016).

Using these directives asks clients to hold off on changing and intends to provoke defiance (Goldenberg et al., 2016). The purpose of directives is to get the family or the client to decide what they will not do after being told how to help the family abandon dysfunctional behavior (Goldenberg et al., 2016). When designing a paradox, a counselor should consider three steps. Redefining is the first step to changing the family’s understanding of the problematic symptom (Goldenberg et al., 2016).

Prescription is the second step a counselor needs to consider, a concise brief directive encouraging the family to recoil the instruction (Goldenberg et al., 2016). The third step, restraining, is a strategy that helps the client understand that change will happen, but it is best to do it slowly (Goldenberg et al., 2016).

Reflexive questioning is used for families to reflect on actions, beliefs, and perceptions while constructing new ways of thinking and behaving (Goldenberg et al., 2016). These questions help the counselor to understand more in-depth what the client means and their concerns, but also give them a chance to read their body language, which helps them understand what they are not saying (Goldenberg et al., 2016).

With this intervention strategy, the counselor must consider what type of question to ask. A counselor can ask many reflective questions to help the families reflect on their concerns and how they may change them. These questions help families move past their current fixed beliefs or ideas and achieve new meaning as they readjust their behaviors (Goldenberg et al., 2016).

Reference

Goldenberg, I., Stanton, M., & Goldenberg, H. (2016). Family therapy: An overview (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

The Vargas family arrives at their 5th session together and on time. As a follow-up to the last session’s focus on the family structure, you decided to consider a strategic approach this week. To check-in, you invite them to share any feedback from last week’s session. Bob reports that he apologized to Elizabeth for “mishandling the suspension thing” and then complains that Elizabeth is still “holding a grudge.” He admits that he often does not understand why she gets so upset and that he wants her to be happy. Elizabeth acknowledges that the apology “is a start” and suggests that Bob doesn’t understand because he “doesn’t ever listen” to her. Bob tells Elizabeth that he listens but gets frustrated because he doesn’t know how to “fix it.”

You notice Frank and Heidi sitting together, quietly looking at a book while their parents talk. You inquire about any noticeable changes made during the week. Both parents claim to have avoided raising their voices and report being pleased with their conduct. When asked about the children, Elizabeth reports noticing improvement. Bob, however, expresses frustration with Frank’s constant need for redirection and numerous reminders to complete his chores. Bob also noted an increase in Heidi’s demands for attention.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

• Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, including a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
• Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
• One or two-sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and off-topic responses will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
• I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

• Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ are graded separately and do not count toward participation.
• In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days for three replies.
• Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
• Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

• Please familiarize yourself with the APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud, for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
• Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
• I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

• I discourage the overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Master’s level and deduct points accordingly.
• As Master’s level students, you must be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding or critical analysis of the content.
• It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

 

LopesWrite Policy

• For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
• Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
• Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper more of someone else’s thoughts than yours?
• Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud, for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

• The university’s policy on late assignments is a 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
• Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
• If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
• I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
• Per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

• Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: 
  • Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
  • Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask questions or send messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

Vargas Family Case Study: Fifth Session

Vargas Family Case Study: Fifth Session