Looking Ahead 2: Practicum Assignments

Each week, you will complete practicum-related Assignments. It is highly recommended that you review the practicum assignments for Weeks 2–11 before Day 7 of Week 1. This will give you time to meet with your preceptor so that you can fulfill the requirements of each Assignment.

• Week 2:You will write about two clients from a family you observed or counseled. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 4)
• Week 3: You will complete a comprehensive client family assessment. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 4)
• Week 5: You will write about two clients from a family you observed or counseled and explain whether solution-focused or cognitive behavioral therapy would be effective with the family. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 7)
• Week 7: You will write a progress note and privileged psychotherapy note for the client family you assessed in Week 3 for the comprehensive client family assessment. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 7.)
• Week 8: You will write about two clients you observed or counseled during a group therapy session and explain whether cognitive behavioral therapy would be effective with the group. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 10)
• Week 10: You will write about two clients you observed or counseled during a group therapy session for children and adolescents. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 10)
• Week 10: You will write a client termination summary for a client who is ready to complete group therapy. (Assignment to be submitted by Day 7 of Week 11)

Week 2: Family Assessment and Phases of Family Therapy

A family’s patterns of behavior influences [sic] the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn’t just the person – even if only a single person is interviewed – it is the set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.

—American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, “About Marriage and Family Therapists”

When issues arise within a family unit, the family often presents with one member identified as the “problem.” However, you will frequently find that the issue is not necessarily the “problem client,” but rather dysfunctional family patterns and relationships. To better understand such patterns and relationships and develop a family treatment plan, it is essential that the practitioner appropriately assess all family members. This requires you to have a strong foundation in family assessment and therapy.

This week, as you explore family assessment and therapy, you assess client families presenting for psychotherapy. You also develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy and consider the legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Psychotherapy with groups and families essay assignment papers and exams.

Required Readings

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

• Chapter 12, “Family Therapy” (pp. 429–468)

Nichols, M. (2014). The essentials of family therapy (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

• Chapter 3, “Basic Techniques of Family Therapy” (pp. 29–48)
• Chapter 4, “The Fundamental Concepts of Family Therapy” (pp. 49–68)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Note: It is highly recommended that you use this resource as a reference guide throughout the course. Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

L’Abate, L. (2015). Highlights from 60 years of practice, research, and teaching in family therapy. American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(2), 180–196. doi:10.1080/01926187.2014.1002367

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Mojta, C., Falconier, M. K., & Huebner, A. J. (2014). Fostering self-awareness in novice therapists using internal family systems therapy. American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(1), 67–78. doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.772870

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Nichols, M., & Tafuri, S. (2013). Techniques of structural family assessment: A qualitative analysis of how experts promote a systemic perspective. Family Process, 52(2), 207–215. doi:10.1111/famp.12025

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Papero, D. V. (2014). Assisting the two-person system: An approach based on the Bowen theory. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 35(4), 386–397. doi:10.1002/anzf.1079

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Document: Group Therapy Progress Note

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Hernandez family> Sessions 1—6 [Video file]. Author: Baltimore, MD.

 

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Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2006). Tools and techniques for family therapy. [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

 

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 52 minutes.