Functional Family Therapy – Flashcards

an evidence-based practice that focuses on the relational functioning present within a given family system and uses that family's relational functioning (based on closeness, distance and the "midpoint" of these two ends) to adapt and reframe the way the family relates to one another in order to promote positive outcomes (lessening of delinquent / maladaptive behaviours).

brief and intends to respond to the family's treatment expectations, establishing the therapist as a competent helper and establishes contact with all family members in the first session. Establish a family-focused perception of the presenting problem

occurs in the first 2-4 sessions with goals of (a) building / joining with the family, (b) reduction of blame & negativity, © instilling hope for the future.

Reframing a new, more positive problem definition by examining relational functions; includes midpointing

two classes of techniques are utilized. The first delineated by a general skill-building processes such as communication building, problem solving as well as conflict management techniques. The second class relates to problem specific techniques the apply to the specific systemic concern: "(a) skill-building techniques, such as anger management, relaxation training and so on; (b) techniques for overcoming challenges unique to some families, such as a single parent with a physical disability...(c) techniques specific to youth with developmental disorders

the final phase, relates to maintaining positive changes through examining a youth's ecological environment with interventions that speak to social, legal, economic and community systems relating to the primary family system. The focus is helping the family generalize the skills they have acquired in previous phases and application of these skills in spheres outside of the parent-child relationships.

Blending of behaviours that incite closeness or distance

Focuses on understanding the ways in which behavioral problems function within family relationship systems. Multilevel, multidimensional, and multimethod. Individual factors such as client's cognitive and developmental level; Systemic factors such as a. What goes on during daily family life b. Behavioral and contextual factors include external c. Social factors that influence the adolescent