The Family Journal

In this article, the author considers the importance of creativity in the context of family therapy. Therapist characteristics and techniques that might be labeled as creative or associated with the notion of creativity are also examined. The author focuses on the concept of creativity in some prominent theories of counseling and therapy; the relation of divergent thinking to healthy human development and functioning; the dynamic, interactive nature of creativity in therapy; the circumstances in which increased creative abilities in clients is or should be a goal; some threats or blocks to the development and expression of creativity; the role of creativity in training; and the degree to which creativity is linked to the counseling office. As a result of this preliminary discussion, family therapists may be encouraged to further contemplate the role of creativity, both theoretically and pragmatically, in their approach to working with individuals, couples, and families.

This article discusses the potential utility and difficulties presented by the development of a universal relational diagnostic system (RDS). The history and current status of diagnostic concepts within the general mental health field are reviewed to provide a context for discussing the range of factors involved in the RDS movement and to highlight the practical and conceptual implications from such a system. Considerations and recommendations are provided to enhance the utility and compatibility of the RDS with contemporary clinical and counseling practice.

The Family Debriefing Model is described. The Family Debriefing Model combines solution-focused interventions with an adapted Critical Incident Stress Debriefing model and was specifically designed to facilitate treatment with parents and adult- and adolescent-siblings who survive a family member’s suicide.

In response to an article that described a “Zen-like” method of counselor supervision where the student is “beaten” into understanding, the authors present a different method, likening it to the wu-wei practice in Zen and Taoism. This model is strength-based, punctuating what the counselor does well rather than looking for problems. Wu-wei is different from some traditional models where supervisors tend to assume that their view of the client/counselor relationship is more informed and correct than the counselors they supervise. This article reviews counseling supervision, and suggests that a strength-based wu-wei model and an understanding of isomorphy in supervisory relationships are the preferred practice for the supervision of family counselors. Various contexts are presented in addition to family counseling training. It is posited that this model of supervision potentiates the person-of-the-counselor.

This article provides an overview of professional practice with families of people who have serious mental illness. Based on the expanding literature in the area, the family experience of mental illness is discussed, as well as the unique concerns of parents, spouses, siblings, and offspring. Five effective family interventions are presented along with a three-step model that can guide service providers. Finally, suggestions are offered for dealing with confidentiality and for enhancing professional practice with these families.

Grandparents raising grandchildren in the absence of the grand-children’s biological parents are responsible for the emotional, social, and financial wellbeing of 1.35 million children in the United States (Woodworth, 1996). These custodial grandparents, while providing their grandchildren with a sense of continuity, stability, and security (O’Reilly & Morrison, 1993), often do so at serious emotional, physical, and financial cost to themselves (Pinson-Millburn, Fabian, Schlossberg, & Pyle, 1996). The prevalence and population of grandparents raising grandchildren and identified problem- and treatment-focus areas for them are described through a review of the literature. Research into specific treatment modalities for these family constellations is significantly lacking. Narrative family therapy is suggested as a viable clinical intervention for this group.

Single-parent families can no longer be viewed as nontraditional families. More than 25% of American families are headed by either a mother or a father. As more single-parent families have appeared on the American landscape, interest has grown as to the effect of single-parent households on children’s well-being. A common myth has developed that single-parent households are detrimental to a child’s well-being. This article reviews current research on the effects of single-parent households on children’s well-being. Implications for family counselors will follow.

Issues of anticipation, separation, and reunion are concerns that families face when family members are subject to military deployment. In this article, the authors look at these issues and provide a depiction of what the families, the military, and family counselors can do to alleviate some of the related strain on family functioning.

Although available research shows that psychotherapists have been subject to assault by clients, very little research has been conducted on assaults on marriage and family therapists as a specific group. The authors report on a preliminary study of 67 marriage and family therapists who returned surveys as a subset of a larger study. Forty-four percent reported that they had experienced a physical or psychological assault from a client, and 30% reported they had feared their lives were in danger while working with clients. Although this was a preliminary study with a low return rate, the data is used to raise awareness of the potential for violence in the workplaces of therapists. The authors emphasize the importance of training and continuing education in the assessment and management of threatening or violent clients. The authors also describe basic preventive, assessment, management, and coping measures for working with violent clients.

This article describes a videotaping technique which counselors can use with families to facilitate change. A case example is used to demonstrate its effectiveness.

The authors introduce the “three-legged sack race” as a metaphor for three contrasting ways of describing a couple’s relationship. The interdependent model has the inside two legs of the couple attached and the outside two legs independent. Enmeshed, or overly dependent couples have all four legs in the sack (no individuation). Conversely, independent couples have all four legs out of the sack (detached). After having an individual self-assess his or her behaviors characterizing each of these styles, the authors present some sample responses based on interviews with 55 adults. Attachment theory is then discussed. The article concludes with implications and applications to one’s own relationship and identifying a “next-steps action plan.”