Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples

• Unit Code

  COU1201

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit introduces students to aspects of working therapeutically with families. It will provide a framework for understanding theory and practice models for working with families. The major therapeutic approaches, including structuralist and post-modern frameworks, are covered.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded TPR1101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse and critically evaluate the various approaches to family therapy.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical frameworks relating to issues of family formation and maintenance of homeostasis and resilience.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of family systems theory, interpersonal relationships, family life cycle theory, and family stresses and coping models.
4. Develop competency in ethical practice with families.
5. Understand and begin to use the skills required for assessing family functioning.
6. Understand the application of major approaches to therapeutic practice with families including psychodynamic, behavioural, humanistic, strategic and narrative practices.

Unit Content

1. An overview of family therapy models including experiential psychoanalytic, cross-generational, structural, and narrative therapies.
2. Basic therapeutic skills in working with families, including group and individual work, engaging with parents and children, determining the approach to use, setting therapeutic goals and determining outcomes.
3. Ethical issues and family therapy.
4. Issues and skills in assessing family functioning.
5. The role of culture, gender, age diversity, and family configuration in family functioning.
6. Theoretical frameworks for working with families: systems, ecology, attachment theories, narrative theories, existential theories.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Becvar, D., & Becvar, R. (2009). Family therapy: A systemic integration (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
• Walsh, F. (Ed.) (2011). Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity (4th ed.). New York: The Guildford Press.
• McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R. & Petry, S. (2008). Genograms: Assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). New York, London: W. W. Norton.
• Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2002). Counseling today's families (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• Goldenberg, I., & Goldenberg, H. (2013). Family therapy: An overview (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• McGoldrick, M., Carter, B., Garcia-Preto, N. (Ed.). (2011). The expanded family life cycle: Individual, family and social perspectives (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.

Journal References

• Attachment and Human Development
• Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy
• Family Process
• Journal of Family Therapy
• Journal of Family Psychology

Website References

• www.aifs.gov.au

Other References

• No set text. Weekly required readings via eReserve.

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