Vargas Family Case Study Fourth Session
Vargas Family Case Study: Fourth Session
Vargas Family Case Study: Fourth Session
Application of Structural Family Therapy Theory to Analyze the Presenting Problems
Structural family therapy is a treatment intervention used in the counseling process to address issues identified in the counseling process. This strategy mainly focuses on the patterns of interactions between family members, which are mostly the causes of the family problems (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). Most of the problems facing a family are as a result of a dysfunctional family with the intervention focusing on changing the family structure and improving family communication (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). This strategy has been indicated to have successful results since the strategy does not focus on changing the family members rather on the family structures and interactions between family members, which creates a more stable and healthier family structure (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013).
Vargas Family
This fourth session is meant to provide a more insight on the family interactions and relationships between members of the Vargas family and how counselors can apply the structural family therapy to address the issues faced by the Vargas family. The family interactions have led to the problems currently experienced by the Vargas family (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). After a careful analysis of the family patterns of the Vargas family, it is evident that there are relationship issues between the parents as well as between the children. The counselor should determine possible solutions using the structural family therapy theory to improve family interactions between the family members (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013).
Two Current Presenting Problems for the Vargas Family
Based on the patterns of interactions of the Vargas family observed during the previous sessions and after an analysis of the identified issues in the family, it is clear that the family has some boundary issues between the family members (Gehart, 2018). There are issues between Bob and his wife Elizabeth as well as between Frank who is their son and their daughter Heidi. Bob and Frank are laughing hysterically as they arrive for their fourth session with Frankie having been suspended in school. This is a time where Frank should be facing punishment but the interaction with his father tells otherwise. Bob and Frankie also share the story of how the two of them spent the day having fun. This is an evidence of a dysfunctional relationship between Bob and his son Frankie (Gehart, 2018).
There are also communication problems within the Vargas family, which is seen when Elizabeth is worried about her son’s behavior, which has led to him being suspended from school (Gehart, 2018). However, her husband Bob thinks that her son is engaging in normal behaviors, which is part of growing. These different perspectives between Bob and Elizabeth have contributed to the family problems currently experienced (Gehart, 2018). The family members are taking sides with the daughter leaning on her mother so is Frankie who is close to his father. This is seen when Frank squeezes into the same chair with his father and his father also defends his actions by accusing Elizabeth of overreacting. Heidi too clings to her mother on the couch where her mother is hesitant to allow Frank to make comments during the counseling session (Gehart, 2018).
How Are the Problems Maintained According To the Structural Family Therapy Perspective?
According to the structural family therapy perspective, the different perspectives of the parents who are responsible for addressing their children’s behavior maintain the problems (Lebow, 2014). According to the structural family therapy, to control and manage children successfully, it is important for parents to cooperate and support their children which is absent in the Vargas family (Lebow, 2014). Bob and Elizabeth have different perspectives regarding Frank’s behavior with Elizabeth arguing that Frankie has a behavioral disorder while Bob argues that Frank is just a normal child and the behavior change is part of growing. This has led to the parents not addressing Frank’s issues, which have led to the persistence of the current problems. Until the two parties come into an agreement, the problems will continue to increase and cause more troubles within the family as currently seen (Lebow, 2014).
What Structural Interventions Would You Plan To Use In Your Next Session? (Identify and Describe Your Plan for Two Interventions)
One of the structural interventions to use in the next session to help in addressing the current problems is to change the family dynamics, which include setting up family boundaries (Williams, Patterson, & Edwards, 2014). This is important in helping each family members understand his/her roles and responsibilities. The boundaries should be flexible to allow the family members to better relate with each other. There is a lot of tension between female gender and the male gender in the Vargas family. The Vargas family should have rules, which govern the function of each member (Williams, Patterson, & Edwards, 2014). This will help in addressing the discord between Bob and Elizabeth, which is important as a first strategy to address the family interactions as their coordination is important in directing other members of the family (Williams, Patterson, & Edwards, 2014).
The second intervention will involve focusing on the family structure where there is evidence of poor communication between the family members. Poor communication has contributed to the current problems with different views between Bob and Elizabeth where they have not come into a consensus on the current problems (Williams, Patterson, & Edwards, 2014). For family members to interact successfully, it is important to have an effective communication process, which is a catalyst for positive change as members are able to have the same view on different issues within the family (Williams, Patterson, & Edwards, 2014).
What Is The Role Of The Counselor In The Change Process According To The Structural Family Therapy Perspective?
The counselor will have the role of establishing effective family structures, which will improve communication between the family members (Lebow, 2014). In the current situation, there is a breakdown of communication with Bob and Elizabeth unable to agree on the issues relating to their son, which has led to other issues within the family. There are also communication issues between Elizabeth and Frankie, which has created a distance between Elizabeth and her son Frankie (Lebow, 2014). The counselor should focus on the family structure instead of concentrating on the individuals who may be resistance to change (Lebow, 2014).
The counselor has also a role of identifying family boundaries, which include the determination of boundaries between the parents and the relationship between the parents and their children (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). This will help the counselor to determine where changes need to be implemented and what interventions to be used to give a positive outcome. This is also important in helping a counselor in changing the family dynamics (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013).
References
Gehart, D. R. (2018). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. Australia: Cengage Learning.
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Read “Topic 4: Vargas Family Case Study.” Write a 750-1,000-word paper in which you demonstrate how therapists apply structural family therapy theory to analyze the presenting problems and choose appropriate interventions.
Be sure to answer the following questions in your paper:
- What are two current presenting problems for the Vargas family?
- How are the problems maintained according to the structural family therapy perspective?
- What structural interventions would you plan to use in your next session? (identify and describe your plan for two interventions)
- What is the role of the counselor in the change process according to the structural family therapy perspective?
Cite at least three academic sources (peer-reviewed journal articles, books, etc.).
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS
Discussion Questions (DQ)
- Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
- Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
- One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
- I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation
- Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
- In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
- Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
- Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.
APA Format and Writing Quality
- Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
- Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
- I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes
- I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
- As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
- It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy
- For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
- Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
- Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
- Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy
- The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
- Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
- If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
- I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
- As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.
Communication
- Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
- Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
- Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.
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