Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

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

  2018

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Joanne Flora MACDONALD

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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. This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement. In keeping with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) stipulations, students need to have practiced necessary skills/competencies in the classroom to a satisfactory level before going out into the field. A minimum of 80% class attendance is therefore required.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

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

Unit Content

1. The concept of family functioning; the characteristics of a "functional" family.
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 and the use of the genogram as a tool for exploration, the contribution of object relations theory - the communication dimension - the organisational dimension and the contribution of systems theory - the ecological dimension.
3. The context of family and couple counselling including the importance of ethnicity and gender, the concept of "gender sensitive" therapy, and gender implications of the therapeutic triangle in conjoint couples work.
4. An overview of key family therapy approaches and underpinning theories which conceptualise family functioning and the therapeutic process including: - Bowenian and cross-generational family therapy - Structural family therapy. - The Milan systemic approach. - Post modern constructivist and narrative approaches - Psychoanalytically informed family therapy. The integration of approaches in contemporary practice with specific populations.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Workshops involving theoretical presentations and experiential exercises. Required self-directed reading using the text and eReserve readings.

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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Core Reading(s)

• Dallos, D., & Draper, R. (2015). An introduction to family therapy: Systemic theory and practice. (4th ed.). Berkshire, United Kingdom: Open University Press.

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