Communications and Experiential Family Therapy Virginia Satir Carl Whitaker

Concepts to watch for: The Primacy of the experience – “Existence precedes essence,” “thoughts and feelings are attempts to understand our world, but the experience of life comes first.” Those who are only intellectualizing are not fully alive. Affect – Families who are not in touch with their experience and emotionally dead.

Concepts to watch for: The Person of the Therapist – Experiential family therapists (all counselors) participate actively and personally in the session. They do not attempt to hide behind a therapeutic mask, but risk being vulnerable and open. Self-disclosure, and congruency and transparency are vital. Spontaneity and Creativity – non rational and creative experiences are important to provide for the family (client).

Concepts to watch for: Freedom, Holism, and Existential Anxiety – Freedom – choice not fate, awareness of death, finality of life. I-Thou relationship – among family members and with the world, and starting with the therapist/client. Present-centeredness – Immediate experience and person-to-person encounters.

Communications School Early MRI emphasized communications All behavior is communication Communication has both a Report and a Command Communication has both analogue and digital parts Meta communication is communication about communication.

The double bind Two or more persons in an important relationship. Repeated experience. A primary negative injunction, such as “Don’t do X or I will punish you. A second injunction at a more abstract level conflicting with the first, also enforced by punishment or perceived threat. A tertiary negative injunction prohibiting escape and demanding a response Without this restriction the “victim” won’t feel bound; The complete set of ingredients is no longer necessary after the victim is conditioned.

Existentialism Existentialism, a philosophy that examines the immediacy of the problems of life i.e., the condition of humans, the state of being free, and of having to use freedom in order to answer the ever-changing and unexpected challenges of the day. Existentialists have the starting point for every philosophical investigation as human existence -- the human personality itself, my “me,” your "you" -- whose drama of life, brought under critical analysis, should point the way to the absolute value of reality. Phenomenology – we all create and experience our own reality separate from what is real – out there. Search for meaning – we strive to understand what is all about.

Satir- Outline Humanistic perspective View of human nature Source of motivation Development of pathology Nature of change Therapeutic relationship

Satir- Humanistic Perspective Techniques Carl Rogers Fritz Perls Existentialists

Satir- Humanistic Perspective Goal of humanistic therapy is to increase awareness of options and potential Make choices Increase autonomy and self-actualization

Satir- Philosophical tenets Relationship is encounter between two people at any moment Strength of relationship based on strength of self-concept

Satir- View of human nature Geared to survival, growth, getting close to others. Humans are limited in ways of “knowing” self

Satir- Source of motivation Communication Self-worth

Satir- Development of pathology Inability to form relationships. Ineffective communication

Satir- Development of pathology Ineffective communication- Convey self incongruently Variable to adapt to present context Does not elicit feedback Denial of impulses Suppression of feelings Families are locked into self-protection and avoidance Emotional deadness

Satir- Development of pathology Families are cold; tend to stay together out of habit or duty. Families lack warmth to themselves and others Couples live together in quiet desperation. Adults don’t seem to enjoy their children. Ineffective communication types Placater Blamer Computer Distractor

Satir- Nature of change Goal of treatment- Increased self-worth Clear, direct, honest communication Flexible and appropriate roles Open and hopeful links to society

Satir- Therapeutic relationship Seen as resource person. Serve as experienced observer. Model good communication. Teach clients effective communication. Aware of possibilities for interactions in therapy

Satir- Stages of therapy Opening phone call. Discover who is in family. Ages of members. Importance of members. Parenting roles

Satir- Stages of therapy Initial session- Clarify family expectations Explain nature of family therapy Explore symptoms Reflect puzzlement of good intentions Family study

Satir- Stages of therapy Family Life Chronology- (First 2 sessions) Courtship history Early married life Marital expectations Plan and arrival of each child

Satir- Therapeutic relationship- Emphasize equality in relationship Encourage client’s to elicit feedback from therapist Make “I value you” statements (well, we know you have good seed)

Satir- Techniques Improve self-worth- Identify client strengths Ask questions on client’s area of expertise Note achievements in family history Accentuate good intentions Questions on bringing happiness to others

Satir- Techniques Improve communication- Do not allow members to block communication Do not allow members to speak for each other Encourage client’s to ask for clarification Interpret family messages

Satir- Stages of therapy Termination- Complete transactions, clear messages Improved perceptions of self, others perceptions Disagree Make choices

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Carl Whitaker Whitaker- Philosophy Nontheoretical approach Moment-to-moment interchange Whitaker-

Carl Whitaker’s View of human nature Healthy families: Process of perpetual becoming. Three generations that maintain autonomy. Flexible roles. Flexible power distribution

Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families: Use constructive input. Develop “as if” structure. Allowed to be crazy. Develop functional realities

Whitaker- View of human nature Healthy families: Aware of stress of members. Express positive and negative feelings. Respect intimacy and separation. Encourage outside relationships

Whitaker- Source of motivation Grow despite adversities. Parents grown from difficulties with their children. Deal with symptoms as growth

Whitaker- Development of pathology Discomfort with growth. Inflexibility. Resistant to change.

Whitaker- Nature of change Goal of therapy is to encourage change and growth

Whitaker- Therapeutic relationship Use of co-therapists. Share opinions of family. Use of children as co-therapists. Model healthy adult functioning

Whitaker-Stages of therapy Initial phone call-Insist on all members

Whitaker- Stages of therapy Battle for structure. Therapists initially control structure of session, time, cost, location. Insist on all members present

Whitaker- Stages of treatment Initial session. Address father first. Assess for subgroups

Whitaker- Stages of therapy Battle for initiative Insist that family members make change Exchange control of sessions

Whitaker- Stages of therapy Battle for bilaterality Family can leave treatment at any time Flight into health

Whitaker- Techniques Redefinition of symptoms as growth. Use fantasy alternatives. Assign members to change roles. Augment despair of members. Engage in affective confrontation. Treat children like children. Separate interpersonal stress from fantasy stress. Highlight family revolution. Extended family reunion. Use of consultation

Whitaker- Stages of treatment Termination Express feelings to family

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