Experiential Family Therapy (of Carl Whitaker)

Introduction experiential therapy emerged from the humanistic wing of psychology that was focused on the immediate, here-and-now experience, which was intimately popular in the 1960s and 70s. Therapists focussed on the needs of the respective(prenominal) as they attempt to facilitate family interaction, resulting in the individualization of for each one member. As Becvar and Becvar (2000) asserted, the hallmarks of experiential family therapy were the importance of individuality, in the flesh(predicate) freedom and self-realization (pp.181). Thus, efforts to reduce defensiveness and unlock deeper levels of experiencing rested on an assumption of the rudimentary goodness of human nature. Many of the fundamental theories were borrowed from individual and group therapy. It borrowed techniques such(prenominal) as role-playing and emotional confrontation borrowed from Gestalt therapy, all the same as Nichols and Schwartz (2001) observed, by focussing emotions rather than the d ynamics of interaction, experiential therapist seemed around out of step with the rest of family therapy (pp.139). Experiential family therapy viewed the cause and effect of family problems as fuelled by emotional suppression. For example, Whitaker and Keith (1981) argued p arnts require a tendency evade the instrumental and expressive functions of emotion. They estimate to regulate their childrens actions by overbearing their feelings. The result is that children tend to damp their emotional experience to eliminate making waves.

In mark for therapy to be a success, experiential therapists consider that families need t o hire in touch with their feelings, hope, ! desires, as well as their fears and anxieties. In the first section of this paper, the techniques and theoretical concepts used in typic/experiential family therapy pull up stakes be outlined. It should be admit that Virginia Satir and Walter Kemplar are also seen to have had equal foundational importance in the descent of experiential family therapy. But, in this brief paper I will be concentrating mainly on the work of Carl... If you wish to gravel a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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