Introduction
The family crucible is a skillfully scripted book that describes therapy sessions of the Brice family conducted by Augustus Napier and his past instructor Carl Whitaker. Napier provides an expert description of these sessions while giving us a glimpse of his theory and method of family therapy.
Intended for any counseling practitioner, the book displays an outstanding illustration of a counselor’s rational process during practice.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of selected passages in the book and the application of these passages in understanding family relationships and dynamics in the context of family therapy.
Chapter One: The Question of Structure (pp. 1-11)
The chapter begins with a meeting between the two therapists and highlights the dilemma many therapists face when confronted with the issue of working together. On page two, Napier talks about a conflict between professionalism and personal demands.
The chapter effectively describes the confusion at the beginning of a therapy session. While they need to meet certain social responsibilities, therapists still have to adhere to a certain professional code of conduct.
This is useful for an inexperienced counselor to understand the intricacies involved in the process of therapy, and the challenges that come with it.
Application of this Section to Therapy
The central theme in this episode is the dilemma in choosing who is supposed to attend a family therapy session. Brice’s family chooses not to take Don to the therapy session since they assume that he has no role in Claudia’s problems.
However, the counselors maintain that the entire family ought to take part in the sessions because they all play a role in the apparently individual problems.
The counselors emphasize the significance of Don’s involvement in the session and suggest that the family does not want to include Don in the sessions due to their fear of exposing the underlying family issues.
This section has been chosen since it properly highlights the importance of ensuring that the entire family participates in therapy. It shows that irrespective of the age, gender or personality all members have a part in the family problems.
Most people tend to think that individual problems are only caused by the individual and his reactions to certain issues. However, this chapter displays the overlapping nature of family problems.
During therapy, it is imperative that an individual does not shoulder the blame for all that happens in the family. For a beginning counselor, this passage provides a new perspective of looking at family dysfunction and problems.
Everyone must be present for all family therapy sessions since this is a sign that all parties concerned are seriously committed to obtaining a solution to the family troubles.
As a counselor, this chapter provides me with an insight into the life of a family counselor and teaches me the value of family participation in counseling.
It also shows the fun side of co-therapy while highlighting the moral dilemma that therapists go through. It is a good preparation tool for any beginning counselor.
Chapter Six: The Basic Conflict (pp. 79-94)
Family is a unique organization with its own structure, regulations, control, language, and way of life. Every household has its unique dance, whose steps are only understood by the members.
The family should cooperate with the therapist in solving its problems by forming a mutually beneficial bond (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2011). In this section, Napier and Whitaker present widespread patterns of family life.
They emphasize the significance of co-therapy in solving family problems. According to the authors, therapy symbolizes parental comfort since people often seek their parents for guidance and counseling when they face problems.
The authors also caution against over-involvement in other family members’ issues.
Application of this Section to Therapy
The authors assert that a family concedes that its unique way of doing things is not working and that it needs an alternative way by seeking the help of a therapist. Though unsure that the therapist will provide a solution to their problem, family members hope that counseling will help.
On page 81, the authors advise that since the family members are resistant to change, it is the role of the therapist to win their confidence and make them willing to change.
This chapter also introduces another important issue for counselors conducting family therapy. Carrying parental issues into a new family needs to be understood by counselors. If one has an overbearing father, he is likely to portray this in the way he handles his children.
Some of the views our parents hold are borrowed from what they obtained from their parents during socialization (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2011). Understanding the background of the parents is important in establishing the underlying issues in therapy.
The chapter is also important as it emphasizes co-therapy in counseling. In the entire text, Napier and Whitaker constantly take roles in counseling the family. Co-therapy is important in loosening up the rigid and predictable behavior patterns in therapy sessions.
Chapter Nine: A Partial Resolution (pp. 123-138)
It is ordinary for members of the family who make up the source of the family problems to feel uncomfortable and hesitant to disclose the intricate details of the issue. This chapter begins with an emergency session with the Brice family.
Whitaker calls Napier with information that they have to see the Brice family. Members of the Brice family cooperate to cover up information, and conceal the real story about the marital problems between Carolyn and David.
In this scenario, Claudia is once again exploited as a scapegoat and shoulders the blame for all the family conflicts. Due to a protracted period of lack of communication between David and Carolyn, the only issues they talk about are Claudia’s problems.
The pent up anger and frustration is displayed in the constant family conflicts. In fact, the entire family is reluctant to the idea of discussing the marital problems of their parents and collaborates in covering up the issue.
Application of this Section to Therapy
This passage is important as it further demonstrates the reluctance most therapy clients have toward confronting change. The members of the family can work hard to cover up the “dirty linen” of other members.
It is the work of the therapist to point this out and create an environment where clients can feel free and safe to discuss their problems.
It is also useful for me as a therapist in identifying signs of blame-game and scenarios where a member of the family is blamed for the underlying conflict. Solving the underlying issues enables the counselor to come up solutions or prescriptions.
This passage is also of value to a beginning therapist as it emphasizes the need to let all family members take turns in giving their views. The therapist must also pay attention to nonverbal cues as they can also be a form of communication.
Conclusion
As I was going through the book, I realized that the patterns outlined by the authors are common to all families. Such issues as stress, divisions, and blame games are dealt with in day-to-day therapy sessions.
This book is an essential piece of literature in comprehending the fascinating discipline of family therapy. The chapters chosen provide important insight into the world of therapy, and flexibility in the method that makes counseling interesting.
Reference
Goldenberg, H & Goldenberg, I. (2011). Family therapy: An overview: An Overview (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.