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Marriage and Family Therapy

The definition of Marriage and Family Therapy according to the AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) is as follows: What is Marriage and Family Therapy? A family's pattern of behavior influences the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn't just the person - even if only a single person is interviewed - it is the set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.

Marriage and family therapy is:

  • Brief
  • Solution-focused
  • Specific, with attainable therapeutic goals
  • Designed with the "end in mind."

Marriage and family therapists treat a wide range of serious clinical problems including: depression, marital problems, anxiety, individual psychological problems, and child-parent problems.

Research indicates that marriage and family therapy is as effective, and in some cases more effective than standard and/or individual treatments for many mental health problems such as: adult schizophrenia, affective (mood) disorders, adult alcoholism and drug abuse, children's conduct disorders, adolescent drug abuse, anorexia in young adult women, childhood autism, chronic physical illness in adults and children, and marital distress and conflict.

Marriage and family therapists regularly practice short-term therapy; 12 sessions on average. Nearly 65.6% of the cases are completed within 20 sessions, 87.9% within 50 sessions. Marital/couples therapy (11.5 sessions) and family therapy (9 sessions) both require less time than the average individuated treatment (13 sessions). About half of the treatment provided by marriage and family therapists is one-on-one with the other half divided between marital/couple and family therapy, or a combination of treatments. For more FAQs about Marriage and Family Therapy you may refer to AAMFT.org

THERAPY(Traditional Medical Model)

Treatment is clinical, centered on identifiable dysfunctions/impairment in a person, relies on diagnosis and pathology, insurance covered service. Explores a person’s difficulty in functioning due to their past experiences and/or trauma, and seeks healing. Doctor-patient relationship focus is on relieving pain or symptoms (The therapist as expert). Assumes emotions are a symptom of something wrong, focuses on process and feelings. The Therapist diagnoses, then provides professional expertise to provide a path to healing, is nurturing, supportive, cathartic. Progress can be slow. Limited, if any personal disclosure by the therapist. Therapist is responsible for both process and outcomes.

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SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY

Helps client identify and define the presenting problem, therapist will diagnose as needed (i.e. when client is using insurance; when significant diagnosis impairs client’s ability to function). Explores a client’s current strengths and exceptions to the problem, building new strength’s and new skills for positive coping to promote exploration for solutions to the problem. Therapist-client relationship is collaborative. Normalizes emotions as they relate to the problem. Therapist is solution oriented rather than problem focused (or diagnosis focused), future-focused, goal-directed to help create a path to eliminate the problem. Progress is typically brief vs long-term. Limited if any personal disclosure by the therapist, only when therapeutically relevant. Therapist is responsible for process and collaborates with client on outcomes, involves use of therapy homework.

COACHING

Is a learning/developmental model, with a healthy client desiring a better situation and focusing on helping the client achieve a higher level of functioning by exploring possibilities and attainable goals. Focus is mostly on a person’s present and guides them to create a more desirable future while understanding the past as context, asking How? And What? Rather than WHY?. Coach and client have an equal partnership, Coach offers perspectives to help client discover own answers and goals. Normalizes emotions, assuming they are natural. The Coach supports the client and helps him or her explore and identify challenges, then collaborates with the client to turn challenges into accomplishments, holding client accountable to reach desired goals. Growth and progress are rapid and usually enjoyable. Personal disclosure by the coach is relevant and used to promote learning. Coach is responsible for process; Client is responsible for results.

*Coaching is a non-medical/non-clinical service, therefore there is no diagnosing, the coaching client has no identifiable or impairing pathology/dysfunctions; there is no insurance reimbursement for coaching services, a referral for therapy will be provided as needed in addition to coaching services or instead of coaching services if a mental health issue is identified.

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Trying to decide on Therapy Vs Coaching:

ICF’s (International Coach Federation) Top 10 Indicators: When to Refer to a Mental Health Professional(if repetitive and/or extreme)

  1. Unable to experience pleasure, increase in hopelessness or helplessness
  2. Unable to focus, intrusive thoughts
  3. Poor sleep patterns, exhaustion
  4. Marked change in appetite
  5. Guilt, unworthiness
  6. Despair, hopelessness
  7. Hyper or excessively tired
  8. Hyper or excessively tired
  9. Irritability , anger outbursts
  10. Impulsive, risk-taking behavior
  11. Preoccupied with death

* If you currently experience the above items and experience impairment in your typical level of functioning you are currently a candidate for therapy. If you are unsure whether therapy or coaching is right for you please contact me for a brief consult.

Cooperative Co-Parenting Shielding your child from Conflict.

Therapeutic intervention for separating/divorced parents

Goals:

  • Limit negative impact of divorce
  • Increase parent's ability to resolve conflict
  • Enhance co-parenting skills
  • Reduce court involvement
  • Improve overall co-parenting relationships

Features:

  • Communication skills building
  • Addressing loyalty binds
  • Taking control of and resolving conflict

Referrals accepted from:

  • Parents,Teachers,Clergy
  • Therapists,Parenting Coordinators
  • Mediators
  • Attorneys
  • Court/Court Order
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