Law & Ethics Chpt. 11

Front 1

Client's problems from a family systems perspective

Back 1

1) they serve a function or purpose in the family 2) be a function of the family's inability to operate productively 3) be a symptom of dysfunctional patterns handed down across generations.

Front 2

Why do couples seek therapy?

Back 2

1) problematic communication 2) lack of emotional affection 3) desire to improve relationship for the children 4) positive feelings for their spouse/relationship

Front 3

Personal qualification for a family therapist

Back 3

1) self-knowledge, especially regarding family of origin issues 2) their own mental health, as defined by relationships with his/her family of origin, has implications for professional training 3) personal growth, in the form of personal therapy, important.

Front 4

Experiential qualifications for the family therapist

Back 4

1) knowledge from coursework important 2) supervised practice and clinical experience important through practicum/fieldwork experiences.

Front 5

How do you deal with values in couples/family therapy

Back 5

1) unethical to impose the therapist's values on the couple/family 2) Role of therapist is to help couple/family in negotiating the values they want to retain, modify, or discard-it is not the function of the therapist to make a decision for the family.

Front 6

Responsibilities of couples/marital therapists.

Back 6

1) do not focus on the individual, but on the family system 2) when counseling couples, need to think of welfare of the unit 3) legal obligations may require therapist to put welfare of an individual over the relationship (e.g., report child abuse)

Front 7

Consideration regarding domestic violence (DV) of couples/families.

Back 7

1) conducting couples therapy while ongoing (DV) is a potential danger and may be unethical 2) if abuser has completed a course of treatment, couple therapy MAY be a possibility 3) legal obligation to consider welfare of individual over family.

Front 8

Confidentiality in couples/family therapy

Back 8

Must maintain confidentiality EXCEPT 1) when mandated by law (e.g., child abuse) 2) when necessary to prevent harm to self or others 3) when therapist is defendant in civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from therapy 4) when a waiver has previously been obtained in writing BY ALL PARTIES.

Front 9

Informed consent in couples/family therapy

Back 9

typical informed consent material (e.g., purpose of therapy, risks/benefits, fees, any member can drop out at any time, etc.)..getting consent from ALL MEMBERS is ideal.