A team approach to therapy*

A perspective on consultancy teams and technology in applied sport psychology

“…There appears to be several potential benefits associated with working as a team during a consultation, many of which have been echoed by other family therapists (Palazolli et al, 1978;Selvini, 1988;Smith, Winton, & Yoshioka, 1992), which together lead to increased effectiveness in producing change (Speed et al, 1982). However, Cade and colleagues (1986) also recognized a number of potential challenges of team consultancy.…”

“…One principle reason for using a consultancy team is the difference of perspective provided by different team members, producing a more adequate view of each client's problem and possible solutions (Speed, Seligman, Kingston, & Cade, 1982). However, Speed and colleagues (1982) also noted that consultancy teams should share some basic assumptions when working as a team, such as how behavior is conceptualized, to avoid fundamental differences that may lead to confusions.…”

“…First, as noted by previous solution-focused therapists (de Shazer, 1985), the approach provided the opportunity for live supervision of trainee therapists. Second, despite sharing basic assumptions (Speed et al, 1982), the various members of the team were able to collectively offer a "kaleidoscope" of contrasting and overlapping perceptions to each case providing a richness and depth that was not available from a single practitioner (in fact, a single therapist was perhaps more easily persuaded by a client's perspective and unwittingly join in the families "game without end"). Third, members of the observation team could offer a greater level of objectivity.…”

‘But they aren't motivated …’ issues concerned with encouraging motivation for change in families

“…This may especially be the case when the referrer is of a higher status than the therapist and/or is a potential source of further (valued) referrals (Speed et al, 1982). This places the motivation for change of the family squarely in the therapist, because the eventual outcome of the work is primarily for the therapist, not for the family.…”

“…For example, 'I am concerned that if you stay the same you will die without this ever being sorted out-but if you did try to sort it out then I would be concerned that you couldn't cope with the rows.' This type of statement may be particularly effective if it emanates from different parts of a therapeutic team (Papp, 1980;Speed et al, 1982).…”