COUN431

Counseling 431
Couple and Family Systems Study I

Dr. Edwards
Fall, 2001

CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This seminar format class is an in-depth look at family systems, including a family's developmental and life cycles. Attention will be given to various contemporary family structures with a focus on family assessment of contemporary problems such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual dysfunction. Comparison of a systemic view and the traditional medically modeled psychological and psychiatric view will be addressed. Students will also study the assessment of families through the use of standardized instruments. This class fulfills the additional requirements needed for the LMFT.

PREREQUISITES
Admission to the Couple and Family Sequence, or consent of instructor, and Coun 420.

REQUIRED READING

Gottman, J. M. & Silver, N. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Three Rivers Press.
Walsh, F. (Ed.) (1993). Normal Family Process. New York: Guilford Press.

Recommended text:
Touliatos, J., Perlmuter, B.F., & Straus, M.A. (Eds.). (1990). Handbook of Family Measurement Techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, dialogue and student research in teams will complement each other.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course will prepare the student for an understanding of:

1. The intergenerational development of family life.
2. The process of family development across the life cycle.
3. Issues and variations of family life.
4. Comparison of differences in the life cycle of various types of family structures.
6. Systems concepts as applied to larger and smaller systems, investigating properties and processes that are common to all.
7. Use of assessment instruments used with couples, families, and pre-marital couples.
9. Assessment and basic systemic treatment strategies used with families experiencing a family member exhibiting substance abuse.
10. Assessment and basic systemic treatment strategies used with couples experiencing a sexual dysfunction.
11. Assessment and basic systemic treatment strategies used with families experiencing violence.

COURSE OUTLINE AND DESCRIPTION
This course will take an in-depth look at systemic ideas, both in the natural world, and as they apply to human families. The family life cycle, a developmental perspective of family growth, and the process of systems as they change will be looked at in depth. Contemporary family stressors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual dysfunction will be examined with regard to assessment, and basic treatment strategies will be discussed. The student will also be introduced to several family assessment instruments and their operation, and will be required to use one of these with a family.

Course work will include:

1. Read selected chapters from the texts, and be prepared to take an active role in class discussions. A brief synopsis of the articles you read will be due on the day that topic is discussed. In groups of two, you will lead the group discussion of varies assigned readings.
2. Team Family Assessment. In teams, students will investigate a family using at least three different assessment devises and a genogram, and will present an in depth case study of between 8 and 10 pages, co-authored.
3. Contemporary Family Research. In teams, students will investigate one of the following family types and present their findings to the class: Same-sex couple/family, single parent family, step/blended family, two parent intact family, older delayed parents family, unmarried family, families constellating around a chronic illness, etc. This work is to include theory and a case study application and will be between 8 and 10 pages, co-authored.
4. Contemporary Family Dysfunction Assessment and Treatment. In teams, students will choose and study one of the following family systems dysfunctions: Substance abuse in a family context, domestic violence, child or adolescent problems, i.e., Opposition Defiant Disorder, failure in school, delinquency, or sexual relationships problems such as impotency or vaginismus. Your findings will be reported to the class, and should include a comparison with a traditional model, and a proposed preventative model. This works is to be between 8 and10 pages, co-authored.
5. A two to three page paper, utilizing systemic ideas, students will describe themselves as a tessera within the mosaic of their group, and how your group developed and worked together as a systemic. This paper is to be and individual reflection, not a co-authored paper.

Suggestion
Concepts of use for all the papers might include: linear vs. circular causality, equafinality, homeostatic vs. homeodynamic, complimentary relationship, mutual constraint, holon, entropy and negentropy, isomorphism, self-corrective feedback loop, cybernetics, error activated, recursion, nested systems, autopoiesis, second-order cybernetics, and multiverse.

GRADING

Grading will be based on the following.

Team Family Assessment paper                                 20 % of Grade
Contemporary Family Research paper                      20 % of Grade
Contemporary Family Dysfunction Assessment      20 % of Grade
and Treatment paper
Individual Reflections paper.                                      20 % of Grade
Leading of group discussions                                     20% of Grade

    100 - 95 = A
    94   - 85 = B
    84   - 75 = C
    Below 74 = Fail

CLASS SCHEDULE
Week Subject matter Reading

1. Introduction and Overview of Systemic Processes -

2. Normal Family Process Walsh, Chs. 1 & 6

3. Normal Family Process Walsh, Ch. 7 &8

4. Normal Family Process Walsh, Chs. 10-11

5. Contemporary Family Research Walsh, Ch. 13 & 14
paper due Discussion

6.         Family Assessment, Part 1                                                         Handouts
            A Family-of-Origin Scale                                                            Hovestadt, et al. (1985)
            The Circumplex Model                                                                Walsh, Ch 2

7.         Family Assessment, Part 2                                                           Walsh, Ch 3 &4
            Family Assessment Measure III                                                   Handouts
8.         Family Assessment Part 3
            Domestic Violence                                                                         Guest Speaker -
                                                                                                                        read two articles from list
9.         Family Assessment Part 4
             Substance Abuse                                                                             Guest Speaker -
                                                                                                                        read two articles from list
10.     Family Life Cycle, Part I                                                                  Gottman,
         Coupling and      Part I
            Human Sexual Dysfunction                                                                read two articles from list
11.      Contemporary Family Dysfunction                                                     Discussion
            Assessment and Treatment paper due
12.      Family Life Cycle, Part II                                                                  Gottman, ,
                Life      with children     Part II
13.      Family Life Cycle, Part III                                                                Gottman,
         Retirement and beyond    Part III
14.      Team Family Assessment Presentations due
15.      Team Family Assessment Presentations due
16.     Conclusion of class
         Individual Reflections paper due

Bibliography

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Sex Therapy

Charlton, R.S. & Brigel, F.W . (1997). Treatment of arousal and orgasmic disorders. In Randolph S. Charlton, Irvin D. Yalom (Eds), Treating Sexual Disorders. The Jossey-Bass library of current clinical technique. ( pp. 237-280). Jossey-Bass Inc, Publishers, San Francisco, CA.
Charlton, R.S & Yalom, I.D (1997). (Eds). Treating Sexual Disorders. The Jossey-Bass library of current clinical technique. Jossey-Bass Inc, Publishers; San Francisco, CA.
Christensen, C. (1995). Prescribed masturbation in sex therapy: A critique. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. Vol 21(2) 87-99.
Coleman, E. (1995). Treatment of compulsive sexual behavior. In Raymond C. Rosen, & Sandra R. Leiblum, (Eds.), Case studies in sex therapy. (pp. 333-349)., New York, NY:Guilford Press.
Grenier, G. & Byers, E.S. (1995). Rapid ejaculation: A review of conceptual, etiological, and treatment issues. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Vol 24(4), pp. 447-472.
Guldner, C.A . (1995). Sexual health education and sex therapy: Reflections on the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education . The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. Vol 4(1) 31-35.
Kaplan, H.S., Schiavi, R.C. Rosenbaum, M. , & LoPiccolo, J. (1996). Sexual and gender identity disorders. In Glen Gabbard and Sarah Atkinson (Eds.), Synopsis of treatments of psychiatric disorders (2nd ed.). (pp. 771-872.), American Psychiatric Press, Inc, Washington, DC. Kennedy, G.J., Haque, M., & Zarankow, B. (1997). Human sexuality in late life.
International Journal of Mental Health. Vol 26(1), 35-46.
Keystone, M. (1994). A feminist approach to couple and sex therapy. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. Vol 3(4), 321-325.
Leiblum, S.R. ( 1995). Relinquishing virginity: The treatment of a complex case of vaginismus. In Press: New York, NY: Raymond Rosen and Sandra R. Leiblum, (Eds.), Case Studies in Sex Therapy. (pp. 250-263). New York, NY: Guilford.
O'Donohue, William. Dopke, Cynthia A. Swingen, Diane N . (1997). Psychotherapy for female sexual dysfunction: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 17, 537-566.
Ravart, M., Trudel, G., Marchand, A., & Turgeon, L. (1996). The efficacy of a cognitive behavioral treatment model for hypoactive sexual desire disorder: An outcome study.
The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 5, 279-293.
Renshaw, D.C . (1996). Sexuality and aging. In J. Sadavoy, L. Lazarus, F. Lissy , G. Jarvik, and T. Grossberg, (Eds.), Comprehensive Review of Geriatric Psychiatry—II (2nd ed.). ( pp. 713-729. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.
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Schnarch, D.M . (1996). A family systems approach to sex therapy and intimacy. In R. Mikesell, D. Lusterman, and S McDaniel, (Eds.), Integrating Family Therapy: Handbook of Family Psychology and Systems Theory. ( pp. 239-257.), Washington, DC: American Psychological Association,.
Stravynski, A., Gaudette, G., Lesage, A. & Arbel, N. (1997). The treatment of sexually dysfunctional men without partners: A controlled study of three behavioural group approaches. British Journal of Psychiatry, 170, 338-344.

References for Domestic Violence

Attala, J.M., Bauza, K., Pratt, H., & Vieira, D. (1995). Integrative review of effects on children of witnessing domestic violence. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. Vol 18, 163-172.
Baker, P.L . (1997). And I went back: Battered women's negotiation of choice. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography. Vol 26, 55-74.
Brookoff, D., O'Brien, K., Cook, C.S., & Thompson, T.D. (1997). Characteristics of participants in domestic violence. Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol 277, 1369-1373.
Deitch, I. (1997). When Golden Pond is tainted: Domestic violence and the elderly. In Irene Deitch and Candace Ward Howell, (Eds.), Counseling the aging and their families. The family psychology and counseling series. (pp. 87-101). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Dennis, R.E., Key, L.J., Kirk, A.L., & Smith, A. (1995). Addressing domestic violence in the African American community. Journal of Health Care for the Poor & Underserved, 6, 284-293.
Garner, J., & Fagan, J. (1997). Victims of domestic violence. In Robert Davis, Arthur Lurigio, and Wesley Skogan, (Eds), Victims of crime (2nd ed.) (pp. 53-85). Sage Publications, Inc. Gauthier, L.M., & Levendosky, A.A . (1996). Assessment and treatment of couples with abusive male partners: Guidelines for Therapists. Psychotherapy, 33, 403-417.
Gavazzi, S.M., Julian, T.W. & McKenry, P.C . (1996). Utilization of the Brief Symptom Inventory to discriminate between violent and nonviolent male relationship partners. Psychological Reports, 79, 1047-1056.

Gordon, L. (1997). Family violence, feminism, and social control. In Laura O'Toole and Jessica Schiffman, (Eds.), Gender violence: Interdisciplinary perspectives. ( pp. 314-330). New York University Press, New York.
Jacobson, N.S. & Christensen, A. (1996). Integrative couple therapy: Promoting acceptance and change. W. W. Norton & Co, Inc; New York.
James, K. (1996). Truth or fiction: Men as victims of domestic violence? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 17, 121-125.
Johnson, C.E. and Goldman, J. (1996). Taking safety home: A solution-focused approach with domestic violence. In Michael F. Hoyt, (Ed.), Constructive therapies, Vol. 2. ( pp. 184-196). New York, NY: Guilford Press,.
Lempert, L.B. (1996). Women's strategies for survival: Developing agency in abusive relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 11, 269-289.
Maiden, R P. (1997). Alcohol dependence and domestic violence: Incidence and treatment implications. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 15, 31-50.
Markward, M. J . (1997). The impact of domestic violence on children. Families in Society, 78, 66-70.
McInnis-Dittrich, K. (1996). Violence prevention: An ecological adaption of Systematic Training for Effective Parenting. Families in Society, 77, 414-422.
Newell, R.G. (1994). The effectiveness of court-mandated counseling for domestic violence: An outcome study. Dissertation Abstracts International, 55(5-A), 1193.
Norton, I.M. & Schauer, J. (1997). A hospital-based domestic violence group. Psychiatric Services, 48, 1186-1190.
Schornstein, S.L . (1997). Domestic violence and health care: What every professional needs to know. Sage Publications, Inc; Thousand Oaks, CA.
Scott-Gilba, E., Minne, C., & Mezey, G. (1995). The psychological, behavioural and emotional impact of surviving an abusive relationship. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 6, 343-358.
Shamai, M. (1996). Couple therapy with battered women and abusive men: Does it have a future? In Jeffrey L. Edleson, Zvi C. Eisikovits, (Eds.), Future interventions with battered women and their families. Sage series on violence against women, Vol. 3. (pp. 201-215).
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Shaw, E., & Pye, S. (1995). "Towards balancing power in domestic violence relationships": Rejoinder. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 16, 177-178.
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Straus, M.A., & Kurz, D. (1997). Domestic violence: Are women as likely as men to initiate physical assaults in partner relationships? In Mary Roth Walsh, (Ed). Women, Men, & Gender: Ongoing Debates. ( pp. 207-231). Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.
Wileman, R., & Wileman, B. (1995). Towards balancing power in domestic violence relationships. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 16, 165-176.
Wileman, R, & Wileman, B. (1995). "Towards balancing power in domestic violence relationships": Response to Shaw & Pye. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 16, 179-180.
Wolfus, B., & Bierman, R. (1996). An evaluation of a group treatment program for incarcerated male batterers. International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology , 40, 318-333.

References for Substance Abuse

Barrett, M.J. & Trepper, T.S. (1991). Treating women drug abusers who were victims of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 3, 3-4.
Berenson, D. (1991). Powerlessness: Liberating or enslaving? Responding to the feminist critique of the twelve steps. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 3, 5-6.
Berg, I.K. (1994). So what else is better?: Solutions for substance abuse. Milwaukee, WI: Home of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Audiovisual. (VHS) (ca. 95 min.).
Berg, I.A., & Miller, S.D. (1992). Working with Problem Drinkers: A Solution-focused Approach. New York, NY: Norton.
Coletti, M. (1994). Family therapy with drug addicts' families. Journal of Drug Issues, 24, 623-638.
Collins, R.L., Leonard, K.E., & Searles, J.S. (1990). Alcohol and the Family: Research and Clinical Perspectives. (The Guilford Substance Abuse Series). New York: Guilford Press.
Freeman, E.M. (1993). Substance Abuse Treatment: A Family Systems Perspective. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
Galanter, M. & Kleber, H.D. (1994). The American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment. (1st. ed.) Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Gergen, M.M., & Gergen, K.J. (1996). Addiction in a polyvocal world. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 15, 77-81.
Hartmann, B.R., & Millea, P.J. (1996). When belief systems collide: The rise and decline of the disease concept of alcoholism. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 15, 36-47.
Heath, A., & Stanton, M.D. (1991). Family therapy. In R. Frances & S. Miller, (Eds), Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders. New York: The Guilford Press.
Liddle, H.A., & Dakof, G.A. (1995). Family-based Treatment for Adolescent Drug Use: State of the Science. Center for Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. National Institute of Drug and Alcohol Research Monograph, 156218-54.
O'Farrell, T.J. (1993). Treating Alcohol Problems: Marital and Family Interventions. (The Guilford Substance Abuse Series). New York: Guilford Press.
Peele, S. (1989). Diseasing of America: Addiction Treatment Out of Control. Toronto: Lexington Books.
Stanton, D., & Todd, T. (1982). (Eds). The Family Therapy of Drug Abuse and Addiction. New York: Guilford Press.
Steinglass, P. Bennet, L., Wolin, S., & Reiss, D. (1987). The Alcoholic Family, New York: Basic Books.
Todd, T., & Selekman, M. (1993). (eds). Family Therapy Approaches with Adolescent Substance Abusers. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn Bacon.