Counselor Roles and Functions, Part 4

Question 1: List the last three of eight stages of the family life cycle according to Evelyn Duvall.

Answer 1: The eight stages of the family life cycle according to Evelyn Duvall span from marriage to the death of both spouses. The last three stages are:Families as launching centers (first child gone to last child leaving home): Child is released into adult life; parents and child learn to relate in new adult-to-adult relationship; parents provide support as children learn to establish themselves as independent adults; possible adjustments to children’s spouses and new grandchildren entering the family.Middle-aged parents (“empty nest” to retirement): A renewed focus and additional energy are given to the marriage relationship; parents continue to accept children’s spouses and new grandchildren into the family; the middle-aged parents are now dealing with the aging and possible support of their own parents.Aging family members (retirement to death of both spouses): entering retirement; coping with the death of parents and spouse.

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Question 2: List and describe the four phases in the process of marriage, couple, and family counseling.

Answer 2: The four phases in the process of marriage, couple, and family counseling are:Pre-counseling: A member of the marriage or family contacts the counselor to request counseling. The potential client states a summary of why counseling is being sought. The counselor listens carefully for initial clues to family or couple relationship dynamics.Initial session(s): The counselor begins initial assessment of the family or couple’s context and stated concerns. The counselor focuses on assessing relationship dynamics. The counselor makes an effort to establish rapport and trust with each family member.Middle phase: Ideally, trust and rapport are well established. Initial assessment is completed and the counselor has clear conceptualizations of the family system and possible therapeutic interventions to create lasting change. The counselor begins challenging the family to new ways of behaving and relating.Termination: The counselor reviews and summarizes counseling. Guidance is given for continued success after counseling. A follow-up session may be scheduled.

Question 3: Explain the basic concept of family systems theory.

Answer 3: Family systems theory is a broad, overarching theory, which is foundational to much of modern family counseling. Systems theory suggests that a system has properties that the individual parts of the system do not. Systems theory is focused on dynamic interactions of the system, not on the isolated actions of individual parts. Thus, family systems theory encourages counselors to focus on the dynamics of family relationships, not individual behavior. In family systems theory, the simple linear concept of cause and effect is replaced by circular causality, the idea that actions and reactions play back and forth on each other, potentially unending. This focus is applied not just to relationships between two people, but to all members of the family, and invites consideration of complex interactions. Further, families are seen as open systems, meaning that outside influences may affect the system, and so family counselors may consider sociocultural influences on the family system.

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