Vargas Case Study

Vargas Case Study

Grand Canyon University: PCN-521

7/4/2017

Building alliance with the family

Building an alliance is vital to the success of the therapeutic relationship. In family counseling it is more important because each member of the family need to feel confirmed. Each person needs to know that their opinion matters throughout the counseling process. According to (Goldenberg, 2016) in order for a counselor to build alliances during family therapy; they must first create an atmosphere that is “nurturing in which family members can rediscover lost parts of the family as well as their individual selves”.

To accomplish this task with the Vargas’s family, as the therapist, I’ll need to build alliances with each member of the family. After creating an environment where the family feels comfortable to share their thoughts. Then I will help the family find out the main problem that is consistent and begin to offer some solution to solve it. As I begin to speak the client’s language while creating an atmosphere of trust, understanding, and positive influence (Amini, & Woolley, 2011).

In building a strong therapeutic alliance; in the first session, it is important for me to find out the problem right away and see if there any resistance to change. As the Vargas’s therapist if there is something that I don’t understand. By me saying “Please correct me if I’m wrong,” is used to recap and redefine the problem while “creating a collaborative alliance between the family and me (Amini, & Woolley, 2011).

Hypothesis

I believe one of the main problems in this case study is their lack communication in regards to their son’s behaviors. The mother believes that their son has a behavior problem “ADHD” and the father believes there is nothing wrong with their son. I wondered how the mother came to assume that her son has ADHD. Since they are not agreeing on their son’s behaviors. The situation has caused more stress on their marriage. My thoughts are why is the father less concern in regards to his son’s behavior? My reflection is he is being irresponsible to not confront his son behavior issues. No wonder Frankie has behavioral problems, with such an irresponsible father (Rober, 2002).

The mother is a full-time mom and she would know better than the father how the son behaves. The father is being insensitive to the mother concerns about their son. However, is the mother overacting in some of son’s behavior? Yes, some of Frankie behavior is alarming, but at times it may not be. Keeping in consideration that mother is the primary parent that is dealing with Frankie behavior. She is one who is getting phone calls from the teacher and having trouble relaxing because Frankie behavior is too demanding.

There is also a difference in parenting style between the father and mother. They both have difference of approaches and ideas when it comes to parenting. Frankie self-destructive behavior ingenious (Goldenberg, 2016) attempt to play each parent against each other. To get what he wants from either one of them. Their daughter Heidi appears to be afraid or just nervous around Frankie because she sat close to her mother and often watch her brother’s behavior. My reflection is why is Heidi afraid of Frankie do she feel safe when he is around. Even though both parents agreed to seek counseling for Frankie. The sessions can help them work together as a couple to better handle their child’s behavior.

Expectations

While building rapport with the Vargas’s family, my expectations are to establish a connection with all family members. However, I believe I should really focus on building a strong connection with Frankie. Since it was Frankie’s behavior, which brought them to counseling in the first place. In most cases, children who are brought to therapy are reluctant and sometimes refused to open up. I don’t expect from Frankie to begin to talk to me right away, but, the use of some fun activities will help me build a rapport with him. To find that common ground and build from there. I also expect that the parents will need and want some solutions right away. They will expect me to come up with some solutions to their problems. “The therapist’s position may have a profound impact not only on the rapport established with the various family members, but also on the therapist’s formulation of the problems, goals, and plans for treatment” (Goldenberg, 2016).

Within the assessment stage I expect to pinpoint the main problem. What is causing Frankie’s destructive behavior and how his behavior affect the parent’s marriage; (noted that the parents admitting to fighting in front of Frankie). In hopes that the mother can explain to me why she believes her son has ADHD. I expect to find out how frequently does Frankie’s behavior is upsetting to his mother. During this stage I expect to hear everyone perceptive about the existing problem. Also listening to key factor on how they relate to each other.

I assume there will be some blame shifting and poor communication skill between the parents. “Family members typically enter therapy with a punitive, blaming explanation for their problems” (Goldenberg, 2016). (Noted is stated that “Bob blames Elizabeth for being “too high-strung” and says she just needs to relax. Elizabeth says she is unable to relax, fearing Frankie will end up damaging things or hurting himself or Heidi. She says that if Frankie would be able to control his behaviors, their marriage would improve dramatically.) “The therapist is able to understand the problem more exactly; evaluate the form, frequency, and extent of its impact on the family (Goldenberg, 2016).

During the invention stage I expect some hesitation from the parents. They have been used to functioning one way and now they have to change their thinking. Sometime “clients come in asking for change yet, at the same time resisting change (Goldenberg, 2016). I’ll assure parents that I’m here to pull out what they already have and help them come up with better ways in handling their child’s behavior. To ease their resistance towards change. In hopes of praising them for their strength and pass success. This helps the family to see that I’m on their side. For example, Mrs. Vargas, you seem to be really trying to be a good mother to your children under these difficult circumstances”) (Goldenberg, 2016).

As for the closure stage; in most cases the clients don’t know how far they came and what changes have been made (Lebow, 2014). I expect during this stage that the Vargas family understand, apply and maintain the changes. The parents should have developed better communication between the both of them. How to effectively respond to Frankie’s behavior and mutual agree on; rewards and result for his behavior. Assuming that this stage is hard for the Vargas family apart. Yet. Assuring them that the work they put in has given them the confidence needed to remain empathically connected, handle developmental issues, and continue to solve problems (Lebow, 2014).

References

Amini, R. L., & Woolley, S. R. (2011). First‐session competency: The Brief Strategic Therapy Scale‐1. Journal Of Marital And Family Therapy, 37(2), 209-222. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2010.00201.x

Goldenberg, I., Stanton, M., & Goldenberg, H. (2016). Family therapy: An overview (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. ISBN-13: 9781305092969

Lebow, J. (2014). Stages of therapy: Engagement, assessment, and termination. In , Couple and family therapy: An integrative map of the territory (pp. 151-170). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14255-007

Rober, P. (2002). Constructive hypothesizing, dialogic understanding and the therapist’s inner conversation: Some ideas about knowing and not knowing in the family therapy session. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(4), 467-78. Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/docview/220128068?accountid=7374