Summarizes one attempt to encourage family therapy graduate students to examine their own evolving family therapy assumptions. Presents theory-building questions organized as prompts for family therapy education to challenge the student to think through his or her evolving theory. Describes how theory-building questions were used in recent…

An advanced graduate level course in family therapy, "Theories and Methods of Marriage and Family Therapy" is described in this document. It is intended to provide an overview of various perspectives, theories, and methods used in marriage and family counseling. Particular emphasis is given the delineation of the distinctions between and among not…

This third edition is designed to be used as a primary source for traditional courses in group counseling. Providing a thorough discussion of the rationale for using group counseling, this book examines the differing approaches of each author to group counseling, outlines practical suggestions on the skills needed for effective facilitation of…

Details the structure and content of an introductory family therapy course offered in an academic department. The parallel processes between teaching and therapy are used as a metaphor for the presentation of the course. Joining, restructuring, and consolidation are defined as the three stages of the course. (Author)

The Delphi technique of refining group opinion was used to develop a graduate-level marriage and family therapy curriculum. Questionnaires were employed and 101 content areas met the criteria for inclusion into the final curriculum. Discussed are the similarities and differences of this curriculum and the current "model" AAMFT…

Presents a case where a threat of suicide was made in the first session. In this training clinic a closely supervised co-therapy team was used. This case highlights several techniques in the solution-focused approach, and demonstrates how a specific focus can lead to deeper exploration of family concerns. (Author/EMK)

Urges emphasis on the development of a strong system theory base upon which future practitioners and researchers can build. Advocates the use of Buckley's hierarchical scheme as a teaching tool to provide an understandable, yet broadly applicable, theory base for graduate students in an introductory family therapy course. Outlines an effective…

Explored the exchange of social rewards and costs between the therapist and client (N=11 dating couples) in an initial therapy interview. Results suggested that client perceptions of short-term cost may be influenced by educational or informative responses about the general functioning of relationships. (JAC)

Describes how one marriage-and-family-therapy (MFT) accredited program has been transformed as the result of a conscious decision to examine and modify the entire educational process. As a foundation for the transformation, faculty chose a "genderist" philosophy as the most effective approach. (Author/MKA)

Describes a teaching strategy in which counselors-in-training vicariously work with clients according to various theoretical orientations for use in an introductory family-counseling course. An evolving vignette features a family in various developmental stages. Intergenerational transmission possibilities are introduced when trainees work with…

This study aimed to advance understanding of how doctoral students perceive postmodernism's influence in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Focus group interviews were utilized to investigate perceptions of MFT doctoral students. Findings suggest participants are attracted to postmodern tenets but also feel liberation and confusion…

The importance of cognitions and attachment in family therapy has long been recognized but attachment to parental figures apparently does not affect the way that family events are cognitively processed. Given the large body of literature suggesting the importance of attachment and cognition, McCarthy speculated that the lack of significance for…

Describes a comprehensive doctoral training program in marriage and family therapy (MFT) at East Texas State University. Students and faculty realize the dynamic breadth and depth that MFT training gives counselor education. The need is there and marriage and family therapy education should not be ignored. (Author)

A study tested a theoretical model using data from court-ordered sessions about the utility of divorce mediation. Subjects, 974 couples who had filed for divorce with potential child-custody disputes, were informed about the process of mediation as a means to settle their custody disputes rather than relying on the court system to resolve their…

Presents family paper sculpture, a way to illustrate and actively draw students into exploration of family systems theory concepts such as membership, subsystems, flow of information and activity, hierarchy, personal influences, and adaptation. Analyzes data from over 500 university students. (Author)