When solution-focused and cognitive behavioral family therapy

Discussion: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Family Settings Versus Individual Settings

Whether used with individuals or families, the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to modify client behavior. Although CBT for families is similar to CBT for individuals, there are significant differences in their applications. As you develop treatment plans, it is important that you recognize these differences and how they may impact your therapeutic approach with families. For this Discussion, as you compare the use of CBT for families and individuals, consider challenges of applying this therapeutic approach to your own client families.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Compare the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for families to cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals

Analyze challenges of using cognitive behavioral therapy for families

Recommend effective cognitive behavioral therapy strategies for families

To prepare:

Review the media, Johnson Family Session 3, in this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights provided on CBT in family therapy.

Reflect on your practicum experiences with CBT in family and individual settings.

Week 5: Solution-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy

When solution-focused and cognitive behavioral family therapy proved effective with individuals, therapists began applying these approaches to families. However, it quickly became evident that the translation of these approaches from individuals to families was more difficult than expected. Consider how you can successfully apply these therapies to your client families. Is one approach more effective than the other? What are the challenges of using these therapeutic approaches with families?

This week, as you continue exploring therapeutic approaches and their appropriateness for client families, you examine solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Standard 5F “Milieu Therapy” (pages 60-61)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Bond, C., Woods, K., Humphrey, N., Symes, W., & Green, L. (2013). Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 54(7), 707-723. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12058

Conoley, C., Graham, J., Neu, T., Craig, M., O’Pry, A., Cardin, S., & … Parker, R. (2003). Solution-focused family therapy with three aggressive and oppositional-acting children: An N=1 empirical study. Family Process, 42(3), 361-374. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.2003.00361.x

de Castro, S., & Guterman, J. (2008). Solution-focused therapy for families coping with suicide. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 34(1), 93-106. doi: 10.111/j.1752-0606.2008.00055.x.

Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Chapter 9, “Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy” (pp. 132-149)

Chapter 12, “Solution-Focused Therapy” (pp. 175-188)

Patterson, T. (2014). A cognitive behavioral systems approach to family therapy. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 25(2), 132-144. doi:10.1080/08975353.2014.910023

Perry, A. (2014). Cognitive behavioral therapy with couples and families. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 29(3), 366-367. doi:10.1080/14681994.2014.909024

Ramisch, J., McVicker, M., & Sahin, Z. (2009). Helping low-conflict divorced parents establish appropriate boundaries using a variation of the miracle question: An integration of solution-focused therapy and structural family therapy. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 50(7), 481-495. doi:10.1080/10502550902970587

Ramisch, J., McVicker, M., & Sahin, Z. (2009). Helping low-conflict divorced parents establish appropriate boundaries using a variation of the miracle question: An integration of solution-focused therapy and structural family therapy. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 50(7), 481-495. doi:10.1080/10502550902970587

Washington, K. T., Wittenberg-Lyles, E., Parker Oliver, D., Baldwin, P. K., Tappana, J., Wright, J. H., & Demiris, G. (2014). Rethinking family caregiving: Tailoring cognitive–behavioral therapies to the hospice experience. Health & Social Work, 39(4), 244-250. doi:hsw/hlu031

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Chapter 12, “Family Therapy” (Review pp. 429–468.)

Document: Group Therapy Progress Note

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013c). Johnson family session 3 [Video file]. Author: Baltimore, MD.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.

Accessible player

Discussion: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Family