This course is to introduce the theory and practice of family counseling.
First, the theoretical foundation of family counseling is introduced – the General Systems theory, the Communication theory, the Intergenerational approach and the Structural approach. Based on these theories, family functioning, family structures, dynamics and problems will be explored.
Second, some of the common issues in families including family conflicts, in-laws issues, extra-marital affairs and acting-out children will also be introduced and related systemic treatments will be explored.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the difference between individual counseling and family counseling;
- Understand the historical development of family therapy; and the fundamental concepts in systems theory (the General Systems theory and the Communication theory);
- Compare and contrast the understanding of family functioning from both the systemic perspective and the Christian theological perspective;
- Describe the challenges in each stage of the family life cycle and the use of genograms in family counseling;
- Introduce the two main approaches to family: the Intergenerational approach and the Structural approach; and to understand the conceptualization of family problems using these two approaches;
- Explore the following common problems/issues in families and their treatments in the context of family therapy: (1) in-law relationships and extra-marital affairs; (2) child and adolescent behavioral and mental health problems; (3) marital conflict; (4) divorce and remarriage; (5) crisis and trauma.
Bitter, James Robert. (2020). Theory and Practice of Couples and Family Counseling, 3rd edition. USA: American Counseling Association.
CONTENT:
|
Date
|
Session |
Content |
|
March 30 |
1 |
Introduction · Individual counseling vs. Family counseling · Historical development of family therapy |
|
April 6 |
2 |
Basic System Theory & Concepts · General Systems Theory · Communication Theory |
|
April 13 |
3 |
Family Life Cycle and Genogram |
|
April 20 |
|
No class |
|
April 27 |
4 |
The Intergenerational approach (Murray Bowen) · Eight Interlocking concepts |
|
May 4 |
5 |
Working with Relationship Triangles (Murray Bowen) · In-law relationships and Extra-marital Affairs |
|
May 11 |
6 |
The Structural approach (S. Minuchin) · Systems, Boundaries and Structures |
|
May 18 |
7 |
Structural approach (S. Minuchin) · Families with Child and Adolescent; · Divorce and Remarriage families |
|
May 25 |
8 |
Attending to Marital Conflict |
|
June 1 |
9 |
Crisis and Trauma |
|
June 8 |
10 |
Conclusion |
ASSESSMENT
(1). Reading (one of the following books) and Personal Reflection (40%, minimum 2 000 words)
- 李維榕 著. (2011)。《故事從家開始》。香港：皇冠出版社.
- 李維榕 著 (2010)。《家庭在哭泣》。香港：皇冠出版社有限公司
- 岡田尊司著。張婷婷譯。《母親這種病》。台灣：時報出版. 2014.
- 岡田尊司著。張婷婷譯。《父親這種病》。台灣：時報出版. 2015.
- 下重曉子著。許婷婷譯。《家人這種病》。台灣：三采出版. 2016.
- Teacher: 劉佩婷博士 Dr. Lau Pui Ting FACULTY