Therapy Session Experience Review Essay -- Family Therapy, Family Coun

Our first session with the Smith family was very informative. The first 20 minutes of the session were the most noteworthy because of our effectiveness joining with the family and the prescience of information we gained. This achievement is due, in part, to having all four of the Smiths participate in the session. Pinsof (as cited in Sprenkle, Davis, & Lebow, 2014) believes that having the entire family involved in the therapy sessions from the descent gives the therapist a clearer understanding of the system and a more ideal understanding of the problem maintenance structure (p.39). As the Smith family entered the therapy room, Reginas tension was evident before the session officially began. As they were approximately to sit down, she quickly moved between George and Rob. During the session, I observed George making faces, rolling his eyes, and whisper comments to Rob. Rob would respond by making jokes rough hurting George or threatening physical gestures punching his fist i nto the palm of his other hand or moving a finger across his throat in a slashing motion. Afterward Rob would smile at Theresa and me and shrug his shoulders but George would act as though he hadnt participated in the exchange. Regina and Kevin did not acknowledge Georges behavior but would sigh or frown at Robs. This interaction would not have been observed if the entire family hadnt attended.The session began with a brief introduction of everyone in the room which was followed by an ice breaker activity. During a previous classroom demonstration, markers were used as an ice breaker with a young family (D. Baker, person-to-person communication, March 18, 2014). It was a simple action that created a connection so I adopted the convention. According to Patterson, ... ... Race, culture, and gender in clinical practice (2nd Ed.). New York, NY Guildford Press.Patterson, J., Williams, L., Edwards, T. M., Chamow, L., Grauf-Grounds, C. (2009). Essential skills in family therapy (2nd Ed .). New York, NY Guilford Press.Strengthening Families, (2014). Mormon.org. Retrieved from http//www.mormon.org/values/family.Sprenkle, J., Davis, S. D., Lebow, J. L. (2009). coarse factors in couple and family therapy The overlooked foundation for effective practice. New York, NY Guilford Press.Taibbi, R. (2007). Doing family therapy trade and creativity in clinical practice (2nd Ed.). New York, NY Guilford Press.Walsh, F. (2008). Spirituality, healing, and resilience. In M. McGoldrick and K. V. brazen (Ed.), Re-visioning family therapy Race, culture, and gender in clinical practice (2nd Ed.) (pp. 61-75). New York, NY Guildford Press.