Types of Family Therapy used in Residential Treatment Center

Narrative Therapy: Narrative therapy has shown an increase in popularity in the field of family therapy. Narrative therapy developed out from the postmodern viewpoint, which is expressed in its principles: (a) not one universal reality exists, but socially constructed reality; (b) reality is created by language; (c) narrative maintains reality (d) not all narratives are equivalent [1](Freedman and Combs, 1996).

Narrative family therapy views human issues from those roots as emerging and being sustained by dominant stories that control the life of an individual. Problems arise when individual stories do not match with their experience of living. According to the narrative viewpoint, by offering a new and distinct perspective[2]

In a problem-saturated narrative, therapy is a process of rewriting personal narratives. The process of rewriting the narrative of the client involves (a) expressing the problem(s) they are experiencing; (b) breaking down narratives that trigger problems through questioning; (c) recognizing special outcomes or occasions where a person has not been constrained by their situation; (d) connecting specific results to the future and providing an alternate and desired narrative; (e) inviting supports among the community to spectate the new narrative and (f) logging new document [2] Since postmodern viewpoints prioritize concepts rather than techniques, in narrative therapy, formal methods are restricted. However, some researchers have described techniques that are useful in helping an individual rewrite a specific experience, like retelling stories and writing letters.

Children admitted to a residential treatment center have behavior problems so extreme that residential treatment is their last hope. Parents seem to think the child is the problem needed to be fixed, and everything will be okay; on the other hand, the child generally sees him/herself as a victim. Narrative therapy enables these perspectives to be broken down and troubling behaviors of the child to be externalized, which could encourage both the child and the family members to achieve a new perspective no one feels prosecuted or blamed. [3]


Multi Systemic Therapy:

The model has shown success in sustaining long-standing improvements in children's and adolescents' antisocial behaviors. Families in MST have demonstrated improved family stability and post-treatment adaptability and growing support, and reduced conflict- hostility[4]

The method's ultimate objectives include a) eliminating behavior problems, b) enhancing family functioning, c) strengthening the adolescents' ability to perform better at school and other community settings, and d) decreasing out of home placement [5]


Bibliography

  1. ^ Frensch, Karen M.; Cameron, Gary (2002). Child and Youth Care Forum. 31 (5): 307–339. doi:10.1023/a:1016826627406. ISSN 1053-1890 http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/a:1016826627406. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ a b Christenson, Jacob D.; Merritts, Ashley N. (2017), "Introduction to Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Settings: Intervention and Research", Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–10, ISBN 978-3-319-51746-9, retrieved 2020-12-08
  3. ^ Harper, Nevin J.; Russell, Keith C.; Cooley, Rob; Cupples, Jacqueline (2007-06-22). "Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions: An Exploratory Case Study of Adolescent Wilderness Therapy, Family Functioning, and the Maintenance of Change". Child and Youth Care Forum. 36 (2–3): 111–129. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9035-1. ISSN 1053-1890.
  4. ^ Henggeler, Scott W.; Letourneau, Elizabeth J.; Chapman, Jason E.; Borduin, Charles M.; Schewe, Paul A.; McCart, Michael R. (2009). "Mediators of change for multisystemic therapy with juvenile sexual offenders". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 77 (3): 451–462. doi:10.1037/a0013971. ISSN 1939-2117.
  5. ^ Chang, Jeff (2011-10). "Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation". Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 37 (4): 503–504. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2011.00267_1.x. ISSN 0194-472X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)