Strengths-based family therapy session 1 part 2

Summary

In this therapeutic session, a family discusses how a miraculous change could impact their lives. The therapist uses a technique called pre-suppositional language to guide the family members in envisioning a hopeful future, where hopelessness no longer dominates their daily routines. Through this process, they explore potential positive shifts, like Joe getting up for school and Bill taking more responsibility at home. The therapist encourages them to observe these shifts in real life and reinforces the importance of noticing moments when hopelessness is kept at bay. The session ends with a task for the family to identify and reflect on these changes between sessions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The therapist uses the 'miracle question' technique to help clients envision a positive future where their struggles are overcome.
• 😀 Presuppositional language is employed to assume that the desired change has already occurred, encouraging positive responses from clients.
• 😀 Clients are encouraged to imagine a life where hopelessness is no longer controlling them, focusing on practical changes they want to see.
• 😀 The family members articulate specific changes, such as Joe getting up on his own and Bill helping with household chores, to demonstrate the desired future state.
• 😀 The therapist uses a scaling technique (0-10) to assess the current level of hopelessness and hope, with the goal of reaching a higher level of hope.
• 😀 The therapist asks clients to notice and record moments when the 'miracle' happens in their lives between sessions, reinforcing positive change.
• 😀 The therapist emphasizes the importance of noticing small, positive changes, not just major ones, to build hope and resilience.
• 😀 The therapist compliments the family’s strengths, such as their ability to recognize each other’s feelings and engage in thoughtful communication.
• 😀 Strength-based therapy focuses on the client's resources and abilities, encouraging them to notice what’s going right rather than focusing only on what’s wrong.
• 😀 A between-session task is set for the family to observe times when hopelessness is not present, promoting active involvement in their own progress.
• 😀 The therapist highlights the importance of the family being in tune with each other, demonstrating strong relationships and empathy as key assets for overcoming challenges.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the clinician's use of presuppositional language in the session?

The clinician uses presuppositional language to subtly encourage the client to focus on the positive outcomes of the miracle question, thereby increasing the likelihood that the client will respond in a positive way. This approach assumes that the desired changes have already occurred or will naturally occur, reinforcing hope and possibility.

How does Joe describe his ideal morning after the miracle?

Joe imagines a morning where he and his family are happily together, eating breakfast, drinking coffee, and engaging in positive activities like discussing their plans for the day. This scenario reflects a shift from his current feelings of hopelessness to one of connection and normalcy with his family.

What role does humor play in Bill's vision of the miracle morning?

Humor plays a significant role in Bill's vision, where he imagines enjoying a comic strip with his family and sharing a laugh. This suggests that humor and lighthearted moments are integral to the positive changes he anticipates after the miracle, highlighting the emotional connection and ease in his family life.

What change would Bill notice in Jane the morning after the miracle?

Bill would notice Jane being relaxed, well-rested, and smiling as she gets ready for work, which contrasts with her usual tired and stressed demeanor. This reflects the idea that the miracle would alleviate the family's current struggles with exhaustion and tension.

How does Bill envision his day unfolding after the miracle?

Bill anticipates that after the miracle, he would feel more relaxed and able to focus on job hunting and possibly assisting around the house, such as picking up a little to make it easier for Jane. This illustrates his hope for a productive and more harmonious daily routine.

Why does Bill express concern about his job prospects, even after the miracle?

Despite the miracle scenario, Bill expresses doubt about finding full-time construction work, recognizing the persistence of his job search as an ongoing concern. This indicates that while the miracle would improve family dynamics, practical challenges, such as employment, would still need attention.

What difference would Joe's improved mental state make in his relationship with his family?

Joe's improved mental state would lead to more engagement with his family, such as interacting more with his parents and showing interest in his schoolwork. It would also involve less isolation, and the family would likely experience more connection and shared activities, such as watching TV together.

How does the therapist use scaling questions to track progress?

The therapist uses a zero to ten scale to assess the family's current level of hopelessness and then asks them to rank their ideal situation after the miracle. This tool helps quantify their desired outcomes and track progress over time, giving both the therapist and clients a way to measure improvement.

What specific behaviors will indicate that Joe has reached a higher level of hopefulness?

Joe's improved behavior would include getting up on his own in the mornings, engaging with his schoolwork, and possibly writing poetry again. These actions would signal that he is no longer feeling depressed and is more hopeful about his future.

What task does the therapist assign the family to do between sessions?

The therapist asks the family to notice and document moments when the miracle scenario appears to be happening in their lives, especially noticing times when hopelessness is not taking control. The family is encouraged to observe these positive shifts and bring them up in the next session.