Introduction
Diagnosing a problem is one of the most important stages in resolving issues affecting individuals in relationships and the issues facing the family. However, diagnosis does not take place without the application of certain models or theories.
A therapist should employ a certain model or theory in diagnosing a problem affecting an individual in marriage or in a relationship. Theory refers to refined body of knowledge implying that it consists of concepts and ideas that have been applied successfully.
In a family and marriage theory, practitioners apply certain theories in conducting their psychotherapy. These theories are very many implying that a therapist should decided on the best theory.
In this article, three theories would be discussed in detail. They include solution based theory, structural, and emotional based theory. The major postulations of the theories will be discussed and personal view would be given.
Solution Focused Theory
Solution focused theory is a theory that is based on social constructionist principle. The theory posits that the main aim of the client is to achieve something rather than address all the problems facing him or her.
In this regard, the therapist’s major task is to convene the wishes and the interests of the client in a most cost-effective way. The kind of therapy to be offered should not focus on the past at all because the patient is already aware of the past mistakes. The client is concerned with the present issues and the future solutions.
The theory notes further that change is constant meaning that it will always be present in an individual’s life. The role of the therapist is to help the client mould a desired future by helping him retain some goals, drop others, and strive to achieve some that would be required to achieve the desired goals.
The fact that the theory does not focus on the past makes it appealing to many people, including myself. The main aim of an individual is to prevent the past mistakes and focus on the future. The past should not be discussed because it cannot be changed. The client has an opportunity to change the future, but not the past.
The theory explains clearly how change is brought about because it suggests that the main objective of the therapist is to advice the client on how to achieve the best results in the future using the experiences of the past. I strongly concur with this statement.
For instance, the therapist could advice the parents to forget about the past behavior of their child and focus on how to change the actions and beliefs of the child. The child could not be measured based on the failures, but the family could be advised to provide the necessary incentives to help the child improve.
The child would improve his or her performance in school after being reminded that he or she has ability if only he or she balances schoolwork with other activities.
The therapist would advice the parents to encourage the child to be completing his or her homework before attending games or plays. Through this, the family would have prevented conflicts.
In this regard, I suggest that therapy should aim at improving the future life of a client meaning that the past does not matter so much, even though it must be used to understand the current problems.
In my view, the theory gives the exact aim of therapy because it suggests that the solution should be reached at the end of the therapy. The perception of the theory is that therapy should not be used to describe the past problems of the client because it would only be causing many problems.
This is true because I believe that the client might be touched by the past, especially when the past is marred by conflicts and troubles.
I also believe that therapy should involve only the concerned client, unlike other practitioners who involve all family members and friends in the therapy. Therefore, others should not be involved, apart from the affected individuals only.
For instance, the parent could be involved in case the client in question is their daughter or son. I propose that the client should be asked questions regarding his or her preferred future in a closed-door meeting.
In this case, my opinion is that other people should not be involved because the objectives of the client are confidential, including his or her history.
Structural Theory
Structural theory is one of the theories developed by Salvador Minuchin to explain family and marriage therapy. The theory resolves family problems through charting the relationships among family members and family sub-sets.
The theory suggests that family conflicts are caused by the dysfunctional social systems (Minuchin, 1974). The family encounters problems mainly because of its failure to adapt to stressors, including extra-family and idiosyncratic stressors.
In the family, hierarchy of power is critical to the understanding of the functions of the family. The main aim of the theorist was to formulate a theory that would promote restructuring of the family system based on a healthy line.
The theory has strong techniques that are utilized for intervention whenever the family faces problems.
The theory is consistent with my belief because it states that each subsystem has its roles and functions. My opinion is that for a family and marriage to be successful, each subsystem must play its role and function effectively.
Previous scholars noted that failure to play roles and these functions honestly would lead to anomy or some state of lawlessness. I strongly agree with this view because the parent must accept the fact that they grew up in a different era as that of their children.
In this regard, I propose that parents must allow their children to exercise some freedom, as they grow old. Children on their part must understand their role in the family play without failure.
Munchin believed that change could not occur unless some structures are tailored, which involve permitting some elasticity. I also believe that change would be ensured through manipulation of the process, including excluding some members from the therapy.
The excluded members could be allowed to view the proceedings in a mirror (Minuchin, & Fishman, 2004). Through this, the family would realize the effect of dysfunctional subsystem and would definitely be open to change through restructuring.
Since therapy is meant to resolve the current and future problems, I agree that the theory is well placed to explain how therapists should carry out their diagnosis. The therapist should always be in control according to theory, which should not always be the case.
Each person should be involved in making critical decisions hence the therapist should listen to the views of clients before moving in to suggest a possible decision. If allowed to make all major decisions, the therapist might be influenced by his or her own beliefs to give a wrong diagnosis or even verdict.
The theory suggests that all available members must be allowed to give their views, but the final verdict rests with the therapist.
Indeed, this is also my opinion since the family functions as a single unit meaning that each person should be requested to give his or her view as regards to how the problem affects his or her ordinary life. The process is controlled because some participants could be biased. Finally, the concerned individual is then addressed last.
Emotional Focused Theory
Emotional focused theory was developed from attachment theory. It entails some elements of experiential and personal centered theories. The theory suggest that emotions have an adaptive potential, which means that they could be used to bring about change in an individual’s life.
Emotions can be manipulated to bring about desired behavior in a client’s life. The main problem in human life is the control of emotions because people fail to control themselves leading to serious problems that might sometimes be unsolvable.
Emotions are related the needs that an individual values in his or her life. They force people to act in a way that would dangerous to themselves, as well as other individuals (Greenberg, & Johnson, 1988). Emotion focused theory is employed in scenarios where the client is unable to manage his or her emotions.
The main aim of the therapist is to help the client identify the effects of his emotions in decision-making process.
The idea that people’s decision-making mechanisms are influenced by their emotions is a valid statement. I subscribe to the provisions of this theory mainly because of this fact. People sometimes overreact only because of their emotional state.
They would cause harm to other people since they are in bad emotional states. The main role of the therapist would be to understand the causes of mood swing and advice the client to keep off from those conditions that change his or her mood.
The therapist would have resolved the main issues affecting the client by helping him or her adjust accordingly.
Many people would enjoy their interactions and relationships in families and marriage if they were able to control their moods. Therefore, change would be inevitable if people are helped to control their emotions (Johnson, 2002).
I propose that the therapy should be interactive meaning that the client should give his or her side of the story while the therapist uses some of the established theories and professional experience to offer advice. This should be the nature of interaction between the therapist and the client.
The theory suggests that the therapist should offer assistance based on the information provided by the client, which is also a valid approach according to my view.
In emotional focus theory, all the affected should be consulted before giving the final verdict. This is because each person in the family is affected by the actions and behavior of the patient.
Questions
Solution Focused Theory
- Does the client get involved in reaching the desired solution
- Could the solution resolve the issue
- What could be the implication of the decision
- What about other people that is, does the solution affect other family members
- In which way doe the solution provided affect other members of the family
- Has the solution provided ever worked in other patients with similar problems
- How different are the current objectives from the suggested objectives
Structural Theory
- Does the affected individual play his or her role in society
- What is actually the role or the function of the patient in the family or marriage
- Does the subsystem cease functioning after the patient stops playing his or her role
- What is the perception of other family members towards the patient, are they willing to welcome him or her in the family once he or she plays the role
- Are other family members willing to readjust their views and positions to accommodate the new changes
- How does the family play its role, does it base its role playing on the traditional and modern society
Emotional Focus Theory
- Do emotions affect the performance of the client at the work place
- What are some of the effects of the emotion towards role playing in the family setup
- Is the emotion related to other activities such as drug abuse
- For how long has the patient showed the symptoms of negative attitude
- Does the patient relate well with his or her peers
- Are the emotions related to other psychological disorders, such as stress and depression
References
Greenberg, L.S., & Johnson, S.M. (1988). Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. New York: Guilford Press.
Johnson, S.M. (2002). Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors: Strengthening Attachment Bonds. New York: Guilford Press.
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and Family Therapy. Harvard: Harvard University Press.
Minuchin, S., & Fishman, H. C. (2004). Family Therapy Techniques. Harvard: Harvard University Press.