A Model for Training Practicing Professionals in Family Therapy*

Abstract

This paper offers a model for high quality training in family therapy. The unique aspects of the Family Consortium's model are that it: (a) is aimed at practicing professionals; (b) emphasizes structural family therapy principles with strategic and experiential elements; (c) is geared secondarily toward training members as effective peer consultants and trainers; and (d) uses an awareness of the isomorphic nature of training, therapy and family transactions. Part I describes the practical organization structure of the Consortium. Part I1 discusses the current theoretical philosophy and training approach of this evolving group. Examples aregiven of how the Consortium has dealt with specific training issues.

A Systemic View of Family Therapy Ethics

“…The conduct of therapy should also contribute to our own growth and should consider cultural needs, expectations, values, and development. We should choose therapy approaches not only for their efficiency and effectiveness in changing clients' behavior but also for what they offer on the additional levels (33) of affecting therapists and society.…”

“…These are certainly critical questions. The article suggested to Wendorf (33), however, that Hare‐Mustin made several questionable assumptions: that family therapy is a unitary modality characterized by forcing all members to sit in the same room, that total disengagement from an enmeshed system is either possible or desirable, that children should hold the same power and rights as adults in a successful family hierarchy (or lack thereof), and that deterioration rates increase with an increase in the number of members attending (some data suggest the opposite, as cited by Gurman and Kniskern [2]).…”

One-spouse marital therapy: Is informed consent necessary?

“…The contemporary practitioner must not only know about effective modes of intervention, but also about the legalities affecting relationships with clients. This situation has resulted in greater attention devoted to examining legal issues in professional development opportunities (Wendorf, 1984), course work for students in graduate training programs (Piercy & Sprenkle, 19831, and even formal relationships between therapists and attorneys (Korelitz & Schulder, 1982). In this regard, Bernstein (1982) cites the phrase Ignovtia legis excusa t rzeininern (Ignorance of the law is no excuse) as an excellent reminder for those in the helping professions.…”

Structure, Self‐Regulating Sequences, and Institutional Third Parties in Therapy: The Veterans Administration as a Model

“…Our focus is on working within a consultation team as outlined by Papp (23), de Shazer (10), and Wendorf (32). We tend to bypass symptom-oriented discussions because they have failed to be of benefit in the patient's therapy history.…”