Working with families can be a stressful endeavor because of the inherent complexity within each family subsystem. There is an intricate shared history that is interpreted in different ways by different members, and the boundaries, psychological distances, and roles within and between family subsystems are constantly shifting (McGoldrick, Petro & Carter, 2016). It would be difficult and stressful for a third party such as me to untangle and successfully navigate this web of connections, especially if some family members are unwilling participants in psychotherapy. The person who instigated the therapy could have expectations that do not align with my own. Furthermore, interacting with families can evoke unpleasant memories or associations from my personal experiences. The best coping strategy for these sources of stress is maintaining a clear division between home and work, talking to supportive colleagues, and pursuing personal therapy.
The difficulty of working with families is further compounded if they come from a different cultural background. The definition of “family” is extremely variable, and diverse social support networks could have evolved depending on the environment each culture is exposed to (McGoldrick, Petro & Carter, 2016). I imagine it would be challenging to differentiate between behavioral patterns that are either dysfunctional or simply the result of unique cultural differences. I need to help families develop healthy rituals that correspond to their culture and values without imposing my own standards. Furthermore, there is the danger of operating according to the middle-class paradigm and ignoring societal issues of discrimination or poverty. One strategy to avoid this stressor is to cultivate intercultural sensitivity by critically analyzing my assumptions, practicing cultural humility, and interacting with representatives of different cultures in my daily life to develop a well-rounded perspective.
Reference
McGoldrick, M., Preto, N. A. G., & Carter, B. A. (2015). The expanding family life cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives. Pearson.