DATE

TOPIC & READINGS

14 Aban

Introduction and Review of syllabus

GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY I: THE FUNDAMENTAL

CONCEPTS OF FAMILY THERAPY

Nichols Chapters 1; Gehart Chapter 1

21 Aban

BASIC TECHNIQUES OF FAMILY THERAPY

Nichols Chapter 3; Gehart Chapter 2; 

28 Aban

GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY II: PHILOSOPHY &

EPISTEMOLOGY

Nichols Chapters 2 and 11; Gehart Chapter 3

5Aban

FOCUSING ON FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS:

STRUCTURAL MFT

Nichols Chapter 7

Minuchin, S. (1974). Families & Family Therapy – chapters 2, 5, 7, 8

Ault-Riche, M. A Feminist Critique of Five Schools of Family Therapy

Structural family therapy and its distinctive features and its emphasis on structural change which acquires preeminence over the details of individual change as the main goal of therapy will be discussed. This presentation will also discuss the importance of paying attention to the therapist as an active agent in the process of restructuring the family. Clinical cases and practical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

12 Aban

PATTERNS THRU GENERATIONS: BOWENIAN

THERAPY

Nichols Chapter 5

Knudson-Martin, C. (1994). The female voice: Applications to Bowen's family systems theory. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 20, 35-46. 

Ault-Riche, M. A Feminist Critique of Five Schools of Family Therapy (BowenSection only)

This session will focus on four of Bowen's basic constructs [differentiation, emotional system, multigenerational transmission, emotional triangle], followed by an exposition of three principles that underlie the application of Bowen theory [objectivity, proximity and protoplasm, healing as a self-regenerative phenomenon] with the context of clinical work with Muslim families.  This session tries to show that Bowen theory has the potential for being a true paradigm shift that challenges thinking in all the social sciences because of the way in which it reformats traditional dichotomies in the field, particularly with respect to Muslim culture, gender, pathology, and the process of healing. Clinical cases and practical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

19Aban

PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACHES:

Nichols Chapter 9

This session will focus on the fundamental of the psychoanalytic theory, object relation theory, as well as attachment theory.  The paradigm shift in using this individualistic model with family will be discussed. Clinical cases and practical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

26Aban

FOCUSING ON THE HERE-AND-NOW: EXPERIENTIAL

FAMILY THERAPY: THE “FAMILY CRUCBILE” AND

THEORETICAL ISSUES - Whitaker

Nicoles, Chapter 8

This session presents experiential family therapy and how it tends to look beyond the medical model of psychology in order to open up a nonpathologizing view of the person which is highly applicable in working with Muslim families. This usually implies that the therapist downplays the pathological aspects of a person's life in favor of the healthy aspects. The aim of much experiential therapy is to help the client approach a stronger and healthier sense of self, also called self-actualization. All this is part of experiential family therapy motivation to be a science of human experience, focusing on the actual lived experience of persons and therefore can be applied to working with Muslim families. Clinical cases andpractical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

FOCUSING ON THE HERE-AND-NOW: EXPERIENTIAL

FAMILY THERAPY- Satir

Nichols Chapter 8

Satir, V. & Baldwin, M. (1984). Satir step by step: A guide to creating change in families

This session presents experiential family therapy and how it tends to look beyond the medical model of psychology in order to open up a nonpathologizing view of the person which is highly applicable in working with Muslim families. This usually implies that the therapist downplays the pathological aspects of a person's life in favor of the healthy aspects. The aim of much experiential therapy is to help the client approach a stronger and healthier sense of self, also called self-actualization. All this is part of experiential family therapy motivation to be a science of human experience, focusing on the actual lived experience of persons and therefore can be applied to working with Muslim families. Clinical cases andpractical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

3 Azar

PURPOSIVE APPROACHES: THE MRI, STRATEGIC &

MILAN MODELS

Nichols Chapter 6

Haley, J. (1991). Problem-solving therapy: chapters 1,2,4

Ault-Riche, M. A Feminist Critique of Five Schools of Family Therapy (Strategic-Haley, Milan & MRI sections)

This session describes clinical work with Muslim families that focus on brief strategic family therapy (BSFT). The culture-specific origins of BSFT will be reviewed. Treatment innovations are described that address the combination of intergenerational and cultural differences that occur among youths and their Muslim parents. Ultimately, this session articulates a way of thinking about adolescent problem behavior, its social interactional determinants, and a range of theoretically consistent family-centered strategies that attempt to change social ecological processes that impact adolescent developmental trajectories. Clinical cases andpractical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

10Azar

THE FEMINIST MODEL

Although family therapy recognizes the importance of the social context as a determiner of behavior, family therapists working with Muslim families need to examine the consequences of traditional socialization practices that primarily disadvantage women in Muslim families. The unquestioned reinforcement of stereotyped sex roles takes place in much of Muslim families. A feminist therapy orientation that considers the consequences of stereotyped sex roles and the statuses prescribed by society for females and males will be described. This session will also describe the ways in which family therapists who are aware of their own biases and those of the family can change sexist patterns through applying feminist principles to such areas as the contract, shifting tasks in the family, communication, generational boundaries, relabeling deviance, modeling, and therapeutic alliances.Clinical cases and practical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.

17 Azar

CONTEXTUAL FAMILY THERAPY

Nagy, I., Gruenbaum, J., & Ulrich, D.: Contextual Therapy

This session discusses contextual family therapy as an integrative, multigenerational, and multilateral approach that is very useful in working with Muslim families.  It is integrative because it embraces biology, psychology, transactional patterns and responsibilities.  It is intergenerational because it seeks the understanding of the individual and family context of at least three generations.  Its multilateral aspect is apparent due to the contextual therapist’s attempt to understand and be partial to all people who are affected by the discussions in the therapy sessions. Clinical cases and practical clinical solutions to work with Muslim families will be discussed.