Models of Family Therapy in Psychology Case Study

Total Length: 2873 words ( 10 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 6

Page 1 of 10

Models of Family TherapyIn identifying the models of family therapy and the theories involved, the film used as the case study is “The Birdcage Film” of 1996. Nichols’ film, released 26 years ago, remains strikingly relevant in its comical sensibility. This Birdcage film was a worldwide mainstream comedy that grossed about two hundred million dollars internationally. However, in Hollywood’s mid-nineties, the film was radical, with a great emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. “It assisted an audience devastated by ten years of living daily with the fear of the disease.Family TheoriesFamily theories and therapies will be analyzed to appraise, set goals and objectives, intervene, and evaluate therapy that works with this family using a theory from the course material (BAKER, 2015). Eighteen years later, La Cage aux Folles and the version from America was released. Its main focus was on how the films disrupt the old depictions of family in various ways, exposing society’s attitude toward family and gender in the process.According to the reaction to the culture war, the film’s comedy is particularly smart in the way it merges hilarious escapades with satirical intent, aiming at both homophobia and the masculinity issue as it navigates the infiltration of conservatism into a liberal setting. Senator Keeley’s political views are the punch line of the film, including his annoyance with Clinton’s accepting gays in the military sector and the notion that homosexuality is making the United States weak. The Birdcage mocks the anxiety about the depletion of so-called “cultural capital” in the United States in the 1990s when Pat Buchana declared opposition to the Clinton administrators and perceived liberal moves.The idea that family is an expressive therapy in family systems revolves around systems theory. It applies to families, systems of thinking that examine a system’s elements in connection to the whole, indicating that conduct is informed by and closely linked to the functioning origin of a particular family (Hanet, 2012).Systems of family therapy may be useful for families with disputes among themselves, their unit, and those in need of advanced assistance to have the issues resolved, as in the case of Birdcage. There is a need to seek family therapy for the family that involves two men who are gay. One of them is the father of the groom, who intends to marry the daughter of a senator in the United States.Therapy for Family Systems DevelopmentThis system is based on Murray Bowen’s theory that states people are closely associated with their social networks (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2012). Like his counterparts, his main interest was in developing more scientific and objective therapy methods as another way to traditional diagnostic methods. Using inappropriate language and frameworks, Bowen felt that every therapist had faced difficulties in their households. Being aware of this may enable therapists to normalize human behavior in treatment.Many mental and behavioral health issues have been treated using this therapy system (Hanet, 2012). In general, it could be considered an acceptable option for issues that appear to be related to or manifest within the family of origin. Families, couples, and individuals have all benefited from family systems therapy. Schizophrenia, alcohol and substance abuse, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders, and eating and food-related issues.Goals and Objectives of Family TheoriesAccording to systems theory, a family indeed rules that have an identity that is oriented. The relations of family members usually follow organized, established patterns based on the family structure; these patterns allow everyone to learn what is expected of them and others in family transactions (Hanet, 2012).Such unspoken norms define, govern, and aid in maintaining how well families work as a unit. They underpin family traditions and disclose family values, assisting in forming family roles that are in line with these values and, as a result, ensuring the stability of family relationships.Rules are usually passed down over generations and can have a strong cultural component. Counseling related to marital and premarital gives couples into treatment to help resolve interpersonal disputes instead of treating those involved separately.This theory focuses on the role of the families that are not functioning well in schizophrenia hence setting the stage for learning patterns of interactions in other families. Schizophrenia research assists in establishing the role of the dysfunctional family in schizophrenia and allows the stage for the movement of child guidance.The intervention of Family TheoryArmand teaches Albert how to pass straight in “La Cage aux Folles,” a touching and amusing sequence in the Birdcage film. The identical sequence in “The Birdcage” reminded me of an episode from the 1956 film “Tea and Sympathy” described in “The Celluloid Closet” in which the teen protagonist is instructed to act more manly (Clark et al., 2012). It is a heart-breaking spectacle for any homosexual viewer now, illustrating how LGBT individuals felt compelled to conform and hide in the 1950s.

Stuck Writing Your "Models of Family Therapy in Psychology" Case Study?

Mr. Nichols’ failure to recognize the tragic undertone of the episode in “The Birdcage” makes it much more unpleasant to watch since he directs it in a wide fashion that makes it appear harsh and heterosexist. It continues to worsen as the play develops. Part of the humor in the original film was that the father-in-law was the leader of some League of Decency; Ms. May transforms him into Senator Keele, who leads a far-right, homophobic Christian Coalition-style organization.This adjustment is critical, at least for LGBT viewers. Armand and Albert debase themselves in front of this Pat Buchanan stand-alike, Armand sweating bullets in fear of revealing his cover. Albert, finally unveiled as a man, obsequiously delivering reassurances that he believes in family values. Additionally, the plot of this film involves Val’s father, who is called Armand and is popularly known to be a club owner who is gay.The other character in the plot is Albert, who is in a gay relationship with Armand. However,…

[…… parts of this paper are missing, click here to view the entire document ]

…suffering because specific functions aren’t being completed properly. The leader of a Tavistock group facilitated the group in functioning cohesively. So that the group may do more productive work in a more balanced, coordinated, and mutually supportive way, it is clear what group therapy with a broken family entails.Some Particular Benefits of Group Therapy over Individual Therapy Elaboration closely resembles ordinary life. Instead of hearing about it from the patient and maybe obtaining an inaccurate view, the therapist witnesses the patient interacting with others (Barth, 2017). It adds another informational layer about their usual method of dealing with people. It helps to reduce social isolation. By listening to others, the patient learns that they are not alone and thus may be encouraged to let go of feelings of loneliness and self-consciousness. In the film, The Birdcage, it is essential to have group therapy for the entire family to receive a positive influence compared to individual therapy. This therapy can properly be utilized in this case scenario.Evaluation of Clinical Work with the FamilyFor their significance to the growth of family therapy, two other streams of theory and clinical development should be mentioned (Thompson et al., 2019). Early in the twentieth century, the child guiding movement was founded on the belief that if emotional issues truly begin in childhood, as Freud and others claimed, early detection and treatment of children could prevent subsequent psychopathology.Alfred Adler was particularly aware of the significance of early family events in determining later adult conduct. While Adler did not work therapeutically with complete families, he did urge one of his pupils, Rudolf Dreikurs. They went to the United States to build child guidance facilities in Vienna in the early 1900s into counseling clinics for families (Thompson et al., 2019). The American Orthopsychiatry Association was founded in 1924 to stop mental disorders in children due to childhood experience. Even though child guidance clinics were rare until after WWII, they exist in essentially every city in the US. They give key settings for diagnosing and treating childhood psychological illnesses and are valuable in including parents and addressing the bigger systems from which the problem presented emerged. Early treatment programs were collaborative input comprising a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, and a worker in the social sector. A parent’s regular visit to the clinic for treatment was standard procedure in traditional clinics.ConclusionIn conclusion, The Birdcage film is an example of demonstrating the theories and therapies. The two concepts have been illustrated thoroughly in the discussion above, revealing the family involving gays, where they are forced to hide their identity to have their son marry a senator’s daughter. This is not the best way a family should operate, and the son, Val, requires therapy since he has grown in this gay family, which may impact his adulthood. The problem is supposed to have affected him from his childhood. It is important to have….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Models Of Family Therapy In Psychology" (2022, February 10) Retrieved May 9, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/models-family-therapy-psychology-2177087

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Models Of Family Therapy In Psychology" 10 February 2022. Web.9 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/models-family-therapy-psychology-2177087>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Models Of Family Therapy In Psychology", 10 February 2022, Accessed.9 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/models-family-therapy-psychology-2177087