When I think of the family unit, I think of it as the fundamental building block to society. The family unit is so valuable that it deserves to be nurtured and protected. When families become entangled in generational sins or dismantled from chaotic upheavals, they are giving Satan a foothold to wreak havoc, (whether they know it or not). Focusing on the family can be a powerful tool to therapeutic healing because a healthy family respects one another, communicates well, supports one another, and even solves their problems. From Stan’s genogram you get a vivid picture of sin being passed down from generation to generation. I like how each member of the family is brought into the therapeutic session because it opens the door for the therapist to see how Stan’s family interacts with one another. For example, Stan’s father comes on a bit strong, he portrays himself as tough. Dr. Corey reframes Frank’s words, making them a bit more gracious. Dr. Corey continues around the room establishing a relationship with each person while listening to each person’s story and picking up cues or sequences along the way. I think this structure seems very sound; I love how it holds fast to remaining positive even when the client(s) appear to be negative. This positive attitude will hopefully be caught by the client(s) and begin to change the atmosphere of the therapeutic session(s). In my eyes, the two theories that appear to be the least beneficial are Psychoanalytic therapy and Feminist therapy. Even though Psychoanalytic therapy has been the primary source for which most theories have grown, it remains costly, time consuming and its effectiveness is something that has been largely questioned because many clients return to therapy soon after terminating. I feel that this form of therapy has the potential to side track clients from the issues that really matter. Much of this theory conceals the truth about individuals by focusing on things like the Oedipus complex. Many clients who come to therapy are overly dependent people and this form of therapy appears to foster more dependence by its continuation. In Feminist therapy, therapists primarily work with women to help them overcome stereotypical behaviors, especially those caused by masculinity. Men and women both face difficult situations and I feel that individuals must look within, in order to overcome hardships. I also feel that looking at the client’s situation based solely on culture or social status is wrong. While these issues are important, we are all individuals and individuals make choices, sometimes those choices lead us down wrong paths. The individual should not be allowed to place blame on others if they are not willing to look within.
If I had to work with a supervisor who insisted I use a therapeutic style that I am uncomfortable with, I would find out her rationale behind her thoughts, communicate my thoughts, and hopefully pray together. If I felt it was against Gods will for the individual I would not perform as he/she desired me to. I hope this is not wrong but I feel it is more important to listen to Gods prompting then to man’s idea. I know that there will be times we need to step away from our comfort zone and lean on God for his perfect will and sometimes what we think is best for someone may not be at all what God intends for that individual. It is very important to be in tune to Gods voice, to rely on his discernment so that everything we do brings glory to Jesus Christ.