Part 1 What measures would you put into place in order to effectively counsel a family whose beliefs differ from your own? For instance, you are working with a couple who has decided to file for divor

The Evolution of Family Therapy and Current Ethical Practices

Imagine what the world of Counseling would be like without the integration of family therapy.  This week’s lecture will cover the historical growth and development of family therapy.  We will take a journey into the milestones that have contributed to the evolution of the field.  You will also explore landmark research studies that contributed to the process of validating the need for family therapy.  You will be challenged to consider some of the ethical dilemmas that family therapists are faced with.  This week’s lecture will cover chapters 5 and 6 of the text.  You will also be asked to review the AAMFT Code of Ethics.  Lastly, you will read a journal article on ethical issues faced by family counselors.  Your assignments will consist of responding to three discussion questions, along with an ethical dilemma.  Don't forget your two peer responses, as well as to properly integrate and cite the readings in your work, and include a reference list.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this week, you will :

• Recognize the historical growth and development of family therapy.

• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and professional standards of practice as applied in family therapy.

• Apply professional standards of practice to address ethical dilemmas.   

Readings

Please read the following for this week as well as All Week 3 Online Course Materials:

• Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2013): Chapters 5 and 6

• Jordan, N. A., Russell, L., Afousi, E., Chemel, T., McVicker, M., Robertson, J., & Winek, J.(2014). The ethical use of social media in marriage and family therapy: Recommendations and future directions. The Family Journal, 22(1), 105-112. doi:10.1177/1066480713505064

Week 3: Lecture

The evolution of the field of family therapy has many twists and turns, some might argue, beginning with the concept of systems theory and dating back as far as World War II, as families reunited after the war.  Research on schizophrenia proved to be groundbreaking as it relates to family therapy, because it provided a starting point for the examination of family communication patterns.  The idea of marital and premarital counseling emerged as an avenue permitting couples to resolve conflicts together, as opposed to separately.  Similarly, the child guidance movement focused on treating the entire family.  Lastly, group dynamics were adopted as models of family functioning.

It is worth noting that during the evolution of family therapy, therapists were challenged to examine their values and attitudes for the purpose of addressing sexist views that could possibly interfere with effectively working with all family members.  As counselors-in-training, it is important to understand that this is a process which is truly never complete.  You should be evaluating and addressing your own biases on a regular basis so that you are able to provide the most professional therapeutic interventions for your families.

The field of family therapy continued to evolve in a way that permitted family therapists to borrow different techniques and concepts from one perspective, while maintaining their own view of the family unit.

Currently, family therapy is moving beyond exploring family relationships to considering the social systems in which families exist.  This equips family therapists with a deeper understanding of the family’s experience as they relate to gender, ethnicity, race, class, and sexual orientation. 

The field of family therapy is also moving to an emphasis on evidence-based practices for the overall goal of providing both quality and cost-effective interventions.  The core competency movement seeks to find a solution for integrating differing views into a solid professional identity.  Competencies in the family therapy field also provide a standard of care by which counselors can work to ensure consistency in practice; which ultimately sends a message to managed care organizations about the level of service that therapists are required to provide.  This is just an example of one of the many professional issues that counselors must be prepared to face within the helping profession. 

Week 3: Lecture

When we think of professional issues in the field, we automatically think of an ethical dilemma, which can be frightening.  This is why the ultimate goal of this segment is to explore some commonplace issues in the field and ways to best avoid them.  Addressing professional issues in the field of family counseling is especially important for ensuring that counselors are aware of the most current ethical standards and can therefore deliver the highest quality of care to the clients who are served by them. 

Family therapists have an ethical responsibility to the field that extends even beyond their work with clients to their formal writing.  Therapists must be able to demonstrate, in formal writing, their ability to accurately cite reference sources, which is why this is currently stressed in your graduate level work; in an attempt to prepare you for this process as you enter the field.

As you enter the field of counseling, you may also find yourself in the dilemma of having to balance financial considerations with clinical needs.  It is important now to begin thinking about what this balancing act would be like, or if it is truly possible to find a balance.  This is a time in which your values and beliefs may also come into play.  It is important to remember that your first obligation rests with maintaining your integrity as a family therapist by doing what is deemed most ethical for the client.  This may also involve seeking consultation and heavy documentation of the sequence of events that have evolved, in order to avoid legal ramifications.   

There are many types of malpractice suits, spanning from failure to obtain informed consent to abandonment of a client.  Ways of avoiding a malpractice suit can be fairly easy and begins with accurate documentation and record keeping, to include updated treatment plans and case notes, ensuring that you are protecting the family’s confidentiality at all times, making arrangements for clients to be seen if you are not available, and making appropriate referrals.  Ensure that you understand your agency’s policies for getting more help for a suicidal or homicidal client.  Lastly, be sure to write your notes in a way that you would feel comfortable discussing their content if subpoenaed by a court of law.  Family therapists are cautioned about being upfront with clients about their willingness to appear in court, so that families have an opportunity to select a different counselor, should they so choose to do so. 

It is important for counselors-in-trainings to begin thinking about how they might work with a family whose ethnic background might call upon practices that differ from what the ethical standards deem appropriate.  Similarly, as addressed in weeks one and two, family therapists are urged to monitor their own biases against families whose beliefs may not be consistent with their own.

Many times families share secrets and it is important for family therapists to be upfront and honest with families about their position on this issue before services begin so that there are not any unpleasant surprises as the sessions progress.  Along these same lines, families should be notified of the limits of confidentiality so that they do not feel betrayed if the family therapist needs to disclose information in order to get them more help.  Clients will appreciate any counselor's attempt to adhere to ethical standards when these standards are made transparent at the outset of therapy.

Week 3: Lecture

Family therapists are governed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics.  Family therapists are required to have a working knowledge of these standards, to consult the standards on a regular basis, and to conduct their professional practices accordingly.  You are encouraged to review the AAMFT Code of Ethics in their entirety.  As you read the journal article for this week, think about how the Code of Ethics should be considered when exploring the use of social media in family therapy. 

The first Principle of the Code of Ethics is Responsibility to clients, and this should be at the forefront of every family therapist’s mind, guiding their work with families.

More information regarding me, my family & my background.

My name is Yazmillie Fuentes and I was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico and raised in a small town named Cayey. I lived with my mother, maternal grandmother, brother, cousins and aunt. Although my mother divorced my dad, her accomplishment in becoming a business woman became my inspiration. Juggling between furthering my career, my wonderful four children and grandson has been my pride. However, it has also been a challenge that I have been trying to overcome, In spite of that, I know that I have the drive and ambition to keep moving forward. Being determined and setting goals for my future has always been a part of my personal experience. The field of Psychology caught my attention when I was in high school and I had taken an elective class in the tenth grade. I instantly felt the passion and I knew that this would someday be my career. I had my first son when I was sixteen-years old, and my second when I was seventeen-years-old. I worked a full-time job while also attending college. With the help of my marvelous mother and cousin, I was able to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Within four years I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and in 2007, I graduated from the University of Turabo in Puerto Rico. I made the decision to move to Florida in 2007, to provide a better life for myself and my children. I prevailed through the hardships of the language barrier. I had to find a way to adjust with limited job openings during that time. I was able to find a job in a daycare facility as a teacher, where I discovered working with children and helping families were also my passion. Also, during this period I got married and had two more children.

In 2010, I was given a wonderful opportunity to interview for a position as a case manager at The Centers. Excitedly, I was hired immediately. I was required to take a 3 month training to be certified as a case manager with the child welfare system. Working as a case manager for five years gave me the aspect of personal and professional growth. In addition, I acquired the experience in the court room. This personal growth has made a significant impact on my life. Learning how to help the parent alter their perspective with hopes of a change of heart was also a reward. These changes helped me with the ability to unite families and help them process through their conflict.

Currently in my career, I have advanced into an Individual/Family Counselor position with the Arnette House, as well as an Independent Contracted Clinician with Families First of Florida as a Mental Health Counselor. At the Arnette House my responsibility is to visit with children in school settings in order to establish a connection with the child and provide counseling services. Within my counseling sessions, anger management, depression, bullying, social, and coping skills are addressed. I counsel individually and apply the therapeutic interventions of Solution Focused Therapy to implement solutions instead of focusing solely on the problem. I use a collaborative approach psychoeducation and Reality Therapy to help my clients learn how take ownership and responsibility for their actions. I also utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Talk, Art, and Play Therapy.

I believe group therapy is effective in certain cases, therefore it is an essential part of my treatment process because I work with groups in school settings. Appealing to their situation and listening is a significant part of the therapeutic process. At Families First of Florida, I have the opportunity to counsel children with autism, ADHD, and severe depression as well as other clinical diagnosis. Currently, it is my goal to provide parents with the skills and coping mechanisms for their children, so that both the child and parent receive the services they are needing. Through the years and with the experience that I have acquired in the field, I am proud to say that many of my dreams have been fulfilled. I have maintained many cases that has given me a sense of duty. I am also in the process of continuing studies to obtain a license as a mental health counselor. In the future I know that I would be interested in teaching college level students. I know this is also an evolving passion, because I believe students not only need to be taught “by the book” principles. However, they should also learn from the perception of personal experience and application. I know that I have the motivation and ambition to provide the future generation with my multi-cultural, innovative and passionate views.

My ultimate goal is to open a family care facility that will provide services for children and families in need. The goal is to provide the parents with tools and resources to better their parenting and family conflict skills. I believe that when parents are equipped with skills, their children benefit. The goal of this counseling practice would be to unite families. I have multicultural views in which I am able to appeal to different situations concerning different lifestyles. I will provide counseling with passion and determination to resolve conflict; which is why I will succeed in everything I do.

Ultimately, my goal is to work with children and families to assist them in getting to a place of healthy and stable functioning. This opportunity is a necessity for me to get into the position to advocate and mediate on the behalf of families. I know this is something I will be good and my contribution will be effective. I am very excited about this opportunity to further my education.