Family Therapies

Recommended Prerequisites

The student should have good knowledge of English language (reading) considering that many bibliographical references are in English.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical teaching using expository methods, discussion of specific readings and clinical materials (e.g., vignettes, videos, analysis of clinical cases), practical exercises; group work, combined with active methods (e.g. role-playing of consultation requests and family therapy sessions, use of active techniques - e.g., family sculptures, dream board, dramatisation, matrioskas, family coat of arms) to train in the application of techniques/tools and the construction of comprehensive readings.

Learning Outcomes

Epistemological and clinical framework of 1st order family therapy and family therapy from a post-modern (2nd order) and narrative perspective, through the presentation, training and critical reflection of the reference models associated with them.

The schools of family therapy and their application to clinical intervention are studied, identifying the main contributions to family therapy today.

Skills to be developed: Know and critically evaluate the schools and models of family therapy in terms of theory and intervention processes. Be able to receive a request for a consultation and conduct a joint interview with the family, regardless of the model followed. Be able to use and articulate different assessment and intervention techniques in family therapy in order to design a joint therapy process and structure the respective sessions. Critically evaluate the applicability, objectives and potential of these therapeutic interventions.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction:Evolutionary map of family therapies - unity and diversity. Emergence and scientific and clinical framework. Family therapy in Portugal.

1. Pioneers, theories of family functioning and models of application: a) Structural Family Therapy (S. Minuchin); b) Strategic Family Therapy (Mental Research Institute/MRI); c) Family Therapy of Milan School (M. Palazzoli); d) Transgenerational Family Therapy (M. Bowen); e) other models (e.g., Experiential).

2.Implications for praxis: a) therapeutic process and request for TF consultation; b) session (setting and components; joint interview: general rules and particular aspects).

3. Assessment and intervention techniques and instruments.

4. Contemporary Family Therapy assumptions - constructivism and social constructionism - Family Therapy in the Postmodern Era.

Brief Family Therapies and Collaborative Conversational Therapies: a) Narrative Therapy (M. White); b) Solution-Centred Therapy (Steve de Shazer).

The integrative model.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Madalena Santos Torres Veiga Carvalho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Roleplay: 20.0%
Realisation of an audio podcast related to the contents of the course - individual work: 30.0%
Based on the analysis of a clinical case, develop a systemic compreension (systemic hypothesis/s) and formulate a systemic intervention plan in articulation with the respective comprehensive hypothesis, as part of a Project Based Learning (PBL) involving other curricular units - work carried out in groups: 50.0%

Bibliography

Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.

Gonçalves, M. M. (2008). Terapia centrada nas soluções. Psiquilíbrios.

Gouveia-Pereira, M., & Miranda, M. P. (2021). Manual de terapia familiar - Teoria, avaliação e intervenção sistémica. Pactor.

Gurman, A. S., & Kniskern, D. P.(2014). Handbook of family therapy. Routledge.

Minuchin, S. (2012). Families and family therapy. Routledge.

Nichols, M.P., & Schwartz, R. C. (2004). Family therapy: Concepts and methods. Allyn & Bacon.

Palazzoli, M. S, Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1978). Paradox and counterparadox. Jason Aronson.

Relvas, A. P., Alarcão, M., & Pereira, G. (2013). Family and systems therapy and training in Portugal. Contemporary Family Therapy, 35(2), 296-307.

Sexton, T. L., & Lebow, J. (Editors) (2016). Handbook of family therapy: The science and practice of working with families and couples. Routledge.