Family Therapy

When someone calls to request help with a situation that might best be handled by family therapy, it is advisable to arrange a time when all family members can be present for an initial interview. You may not continue to have all members attend, but meeting everyone who lives in the family home is standard when initiating family therapy.

Many family therapists or clinicians with a family systems orientation are insistent about having every family member living in the home come to the ?rst session . Further, some family therapists welcome or even encourage initial participation by extended family members. An example of a telephone conversation follows: Interviewer: “Ms. Wilber? This is Tina Jones. I’m a counseling trainee at the University Counseling Center, returning your call.” Ms. W: “Yes, I’d like to make an appointment to talk with someone about my husband and my daughter. Well, actually, Bill said he might be willing to come too, but I just wasn’t sure what would be best. Do you have any openings? Dr.

Green said your center would be good because we don’t have insurance right now and you do a sliding fee.” Interviewer: “Yes, we have openings. I have several late afternoon openings right now. It sounds like you want some help with relationships in your family. Is that right?” Ms. W: “Well, I don’t know. My husband, Bill, is just so upset these days with our daughter, Kim. She’s 15, and she’s got a mouth on her, if you know what I mean. And she’s been pushing him. He’s a quiet guy most of the time. Our son, Wally, is just kind of lost in the ?ghting. And maybe I should just bring Kim in, but she says it isn’t her fault. She says she won’t come if her dad doesn’t come too.” Interviewer: “Kids growing up can be hard on everyone. One of the ways I’ve been trained to help people is through family therapy. It’s best if all of you Interviewing Couples and Families 343could come in for at least the ?rst few times. Do you have others living at home besides your husband, son, and daughter?” Ms. W: “No. That’s it. Sometimes, that feels like a few too many.” Interviewer: “So, do you think everyone could come in for an hour and a half next Thursday at 4?” There are an in?nite number of variations on the themes in this phone call. Parents who call for counseling may not be aware that family therapy is available and are often confused as to what might help with some of the struggles they face. Initial phone calls require at least minimal amounts of clinical judgment and education to set up for a family therapy intake interview.