Intervention Strategies in Marriage and Family Therapy

EPSY 6373--3 Hours


 

Faculty

Terry D. Hargrave, Ph.D., Professor

Office: OM  215C

Office Phone: 651-3620   Fax: 651-2601

E-Mail: thargrave@mail.wtamu.edu


 

 

 

Texts

 

Goldenberg, I. & Goldenberg, H.  (2000).  Family therapy:  An overview (5th Edition).  Belmont, CA:  Brooks/Cole.

 

Hargrave, T.D.  (2000).  The essential humility of marriage:  Honoring the third identity in couple therapy.  Phoenix, AZ:  Zeig, Tucker and Theisen.

 

Course Description

 

This course focuses on the theories, processes, and methods of systemic/marriage and family therapy.  Students will learn about the major theoretical constructs of marriage and family theory and learn how to apply this theory in a therapeutic setting.  Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of marriage and family issues will be addressed using a systemic framework.  Specific applications of systemic therapy techniques will be made to situations of marital dysfunction, relational distress, family and child problems, and relief of family symptomology.

 

Course Objectives

 

Demonstrate knowledge of the basic aspects of systems thinking.

 

Understand the basic theories and constructs of marriage and family therapy.

 

Demonstrate detailed knowledge of transgenerational, experiential, and structural family therapy techniques.

 

Clarify the process and practice of marital therapy.

 

Integrate marriage and family therapy into existing counseling skills.

 

Course Schedule (Tentative)

Topic

Chapter

Date

1.  Orientation, Objectives, Assignments

FT1/4

08/23/04

2.  Developmental Theory, Genorgrams

FT2

08/30/04

3.  Structural Family Therapy, Techniques

FT9

09/13/04

4.  Experiential Models

F 7

09/20/04

5.  Strategic, Milan Models

FT10/11

09/27/04

6.  Transgenerational Models

FT8

10/04/04

7.  Postmodern Therapies

FT13

10/11/04

8.  Psychoeducational Therapies, Research

FT14/15

10/18/04

9.  Mid Term on Family Therapy

 

10/25/04

10.  Advocacy and Process of Marital Therapy

EH1/2

11/01/04

11.  Creating Stability in Marital Relationships

EH3/4/5

11/08/04

12.  Creating Security in Marital Relationships

EH6/7/8/9/10

11/15/04

13.  Group Presentation Outside Class

 

11/22/04

14.  Creating Sincerity in Marital Relationships

EH11

11/29/04

15.  Final Exam

12/06/04

 

 

 

 

 

Class Assignments

 

Genogram

Construct a family genogram that depicts you and your family background.  Be sure to include information that would be expected in the therapeutic process of constructing a genogram.  This assignment will be partially done in class and be presented in a small group. 

 

Movie Clip

Each student is responsible for finding a movie clip (8 minute maximum) that illustrates clearly a concept in marriage and family therapy.  The student must be able to:  1) articulate the concept the movie clip illustrates, 2) lead a short discussion on marriage and family therapy treatment options. 

 

Mid-term Test

This test is over  Family Therapy.  It will consist of approximately 60 multiple choice and one essay.

 

Research Paper

Students will be expected to prepare a 15 to 20 page paper on one of the theories covered in class.  The paper should not only include background and orientation of the theory, but also current applications as found in books or research journals.  Students will give a short report on their research toward the end of the semester.

 

Final Exam

 

This test will cover marital therapy and be essay.

 

Grading

 

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION  10%

EXAMS                 40%

MOVIE PRESENTATION   15%

RESEARCH PAPER             30%

GENOGRAM        5%

               

100%                                                                                                 

 

90% or Above = “A”, 80% to 89% = “B”, 70% to 79% = “C”, 60% to 69% = “D”

 

Attendance

 

Your attendance is expected and required for this class.  If you are or will be absent for any reason, please make contact with the professor.

 

 

A Reminder

 

A zero tolerance for cheating has been adopted by the department of counselor education.  It is our belief that students in this program should conduct themselves in an ethical manner while preparing to become professional counselors.  If you are caught cheating, you will be dismissed from this program.

 

West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities.  This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity.  It is the student's responsibility to register with Disability Support Services and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations.