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

  Couples and Family Therapy

• Unit Code

  COU5303

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit will establish principles of systemic theory, provide a framework for observing and conceptualising different dimensions of family functioning, and a critical appraisal of the major approaches to couples and family therapy.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse and critically evaluate a number of approaches to family therapy.
2. Critically analyse the characteristics of a "functional" family.
3. Describe and synthesise five dimensions of a framework for assessing family functioning.
4. Distinguish common factors across approaches and evaluate the integration of approaches in contemporary practice.
5. Give a critical account of how gender, ethnicity and other contextual variables impact on the process of therapy in work with couples and families.
6. Outline key principles of systemic theory to understanding couples and family functioning.

Unit Content

1. Approaches to family therapy: an overview of the ways in which a number of key theories of family therapy conceptualise the family and its functioning, and the therapeutic process including; Psychoanalytic approaches to family therapy. Murray Bowen and cross-generational family therapy. Salvador Minuchin and structural family therapy. The Milan systemic approach. Post modern constructivist and narrative approaches. The integration of approaches in contemporary practice with specific populations.
2. A five-dimensional framework for assessing family functioning including; The historical dimension and the stages of the family life cycle. The cross-generational dimension - the use of the genogram as a tool for exploration; the contribution of object relations theory. The communication dimension. The organisational dimension - the contribution of systems theory. The ecological dimension.
3. The concept of family functioning; the characteristics of a "functional" family.
4. The context of family and couple counselling; the importance of ethnicity and gender; the concept of "gender sensitive' therapy; gender implications of the therapeutic triangle in conjoint couples work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The unit will be taught by weekend workshops involving theoretical presentations and experiential exercises. This learning extended from a programme of required self-directed reading using the text and eReserve readings between workshops.

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

• ^ Dallos, D., & Draper, R. (2010). An introduction to family therapy: Systemic theory and practice (3rd ed.). Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
• Becvar, D., & Becvar, R. (2009). Family therapy: A systemic integration (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
• Carr, A. (2006). Family therapy: Concepts, process and practice (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
• Dallos, R. (2006). Attachment narrative therapy: Integrating systemic, narrative and attachment approaches. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
• Bader, E., & Pearson, P.T. (1988). In quest of the mythical mate: A developmental approach to diagnosis and treatment in couples therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
• Fenell, D.L. (2012). Counseling families: An introduction to marriage, couple, and family therapy (4th ed.). Denver: Love Pub.
• Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2013). Family therapy: An overview (8th ed.). Belmont, CA : Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning
• Hoffman, L. (1981). Foundations of family therapy. New York: Basic Books.
• Lowe, R. (2004). Family therapy: A constructive framework. Los Angeles: Sage.
• McGoldrick, M.,Carter, B., & Garcia-Preto (2011). The expanded family life-cycle: Individual, family and social perspectives (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
• Nichols, M. P., & Schwartz, R. C. (2010). Family therapy: Concepts and methods (9th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

Journal References

• Anderson, H. (2012). Collaborative relationships and dialogic conversations: Ideas for a relationally responsive practice. Family Process, 15(1), 8-24.

^ Mandatory reference

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