Collaborative Family Therapy
Collaborative family therapy is a theoretical model that is founded upon the belief that we cannot fully know another person’s reality. We can only seek to understand people and their experiences by entering into a dialogical relationship with them. Developed by Harry Goolishian and Harlene Anderson, among others, it is a movement away from the cybernetics model towards a hermeneutics model. In collaborative therapy, therapists are curious about their clients’ stories. In family therapy, it is understood that the family does not have a story, but that it is composed of the stories of each individual in the family. As therapists listen with curiosity to each individual’s story, questioning and seeking understanding, …show more content…
In the beginning of the therapeutic relationship, Calisa wants to work on being better able to focus better during the day and to lose her fear of food. Her parents would like her to be at a healthy body weight and to participate more in the family. The goals, however, are fluid, and may change as time passes. The therpaist spends time asking Calista and her family questions, and sharing observations and asking more questions. For one session, the therapist invited Calista’s nutritionist, they discussed the physical process concerning food consumption and attention, that the body needs certain nutrients in order for the brain to function fully. The intention was not to scold or lecture or cajole Calisa into eating, but to give her the information she needs so she can decide what actions to take in order to reach her goal ("You make the path as you walk," 2007). Calisa asked questions about what foods might fuel her mind best, without being high in calories. The nutritionist was able to give some suggestions. The therapist asked questions as well, not to manipulate or direct the conversation, but because she truly didn’t know the answers. Then the therapist asked Calisa what it might be like for her try different foods, and what she thought she might like to try. Again, she left the decision to Calisa about how she integrate what she’d learned from the nutritionist in …show more content…
They supported the idea that Calisa should make her own informed decisions, but they were also aware that if she is medically in danger, they would need to hospitalize her again. This didn’t feel collaborative to them. The therapist recongized that this is a legitimate concern, and they talked through how they might approach this problem. The therapist invited the doctor, the nutritionist, Calisa and her family to a joint session, letting Calisa know that they would discuss everything along the way, ask qeustions and engage in shared inquiry, but that ultimately, should the need be there, she would be hospitalized again. As time passed, Calisa and her family took more initiative in the inquiry process, asking questions and making meaning for themselves.
Personal Fit Collaborative family therapy is a good fit for me. I love the idea of pulling in others who can help my client, of developing self-agency for my clients and their families. I’m comfortable with letting the path unfold and engaging in shared inquiry. I do also hold the belief that people can become the author’s of their own lives, and would be honored to walk beside
Collaborative family therapy is a theoretical model that is founded upon the belief that we cannot fully know another person’s reality. We can only seek to understand people and their experiences by entering into a dialogical relationship with them. Developed by Harry Goolishian and Harlene Anderson, among others, it is a movement away from the cybernetics model towards a hermeneutics model. In collaborative therapy, therapists are curious about their clients’ stories. In family therapy, it is understood that the family does not have a story, but that it is composed of the stories of each individual in the family. As therapists listen with curiosity to each individual’s story, questioning and seeking understanding, …show more content…
In the beginning of the therapeutic relationship, Calisa wants to work on being better able to focus better during the day and to lose her fear of food. Her parents would like her to be at a healthy body weight and to participate more in the family. The goals, however, are fluid, and may change as time passes. The therpaist spends time asking Calista and her family questions, and sharing observations and asking more questions. For one session, the therapist invited Calista’s nutritionist, they discussed the physical process concerning food consumption and attention, that the body needs certain nutrients in order for the brain to function fully. The intention was not to scold or lecture or cajole Calisa into eating, but to give her the information she needs so she can decide what actions to take in order to reach her goal ("You make the path as you walk," 2007). Calisa asked questions about what foods might fuel her mind best, without being high in calories. The nutritionist was able to give some suggestions. The therapist asked questions as well, not to manipulate or direct the conversation, but because she truly didn’t know the answers. Then the therapist asked Calisa what it might be like for her try different foods, and what she thought she might like to try. Again, she left the decision to Calisa about how she integrate what she’d learned from the nutritionist in …show more content…
They supported the idea that Calisa should make her own informed decisions, but they were also aware that if she is medically in danger, they would need to hospitalize her again. This didn’t feel collaborative to them. The therapist recongized that this is a legitimate concern, and they talked through how they might approach this problem. The therapist invited the doctor, the nutritionist, Calisa and her family to a joint session, letting Calisa know that they would discuss everything along the way, ask qeustions and engage in shared inquiry, but that ultimately, should the need be there, she would be hospitalized again. As time passed, Calisa and her family took more initiative in the inquiry process, asking questions and making meaning for themselves.
Personal Fit Collaborative family therapy is a good fit for me. I love the idea of pulling in others who can help my client, of developing self-agency for my clients and their families. I’m comfortable with letting the path unfold and engaging in shared inquiry. I do also hold the belief that people can become the author’s of their own lives, and would be honored to walk beside