Discuss the importance of validating and affirming members of the family session. How did McLendon engage Janice and Jonathan to validate and/or affirm themselves and their experience.
Using the Whitaker,C. (2014). Experiential Family Therapy video.
https://www-psychotherapy-net.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/stream/tcs/video?vid=248
Whitaker begins the session the session by addressing the father and not the son. Is this important, and what guides the therapist in deciding with whom to engage initially?
The role of Whitaker’s reference to Aaron’s father as the “oldest child in the family?
Was this a proper way to explore power dynamics within the family? Is there relevance to Whitaker’s theoretical construct of setting the therapeutic tone?
Sample Solution
Whitaker’s decision to initially engage with the father was an important one. He wanted to establish a safe and collaborative atmosphere, so engaging with the eldest family member first served as an important step in creating trust and setting boundaries for the session. By showing respect and deference to Aaron’s father, Whitaker conveyed that all members of this family were valued equally – regardless of age or gender – while also signaling to Aaron that his voice matters too without alienating him from his father.
Sample Solution
Whitaker’s decision to initially engage with the father was an important one. He wanted to establish a safe and collaborative atmosphere, so engaging with the eldest family member first served as an important step in creating trust and setting boundaries for the session. By showing respect and deference to Aaron’s father, Whitaker conveyed that all members of this family were valued equally – regardless of age or gender – while also signaling to Aaron that his voice matters too without alienating him from his father.
