Personal Analysis Of Experiential Family Therapy

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The whole (group) is greater than the sum of its parts. A couple is more than two individuals. A family is more than two parents and a child. These are not merely cliches but a recognition that we are influenced and influence the people that matter most to us in sometimes subtle yet profound ways. A couple is a unit; there has never been the combination and alchemy that is two people coming together to create a new entity. Families exist in a web of relationships - carrying their parents and even grandparents in their DNA and their habitual subconscious patterns. Systems theories honor the inter-connectedness that defines us. Every class enlightened my understanding of my own family and network of relationships. Yes I am an individual but …show more content…

While many counselors may draw upon more cognitive-behavioral models, helping shift patterns in thinking and doing, they may not acknowledge underlying client emotions that, if unchanged, may revert their patterns of thinking and acting back to pre-counseling patterns. It is said that emotional insight leads to change, not intellectual insight. I wholeheartedly agree, and acknowledge that of course bringing more awareness to thoughts and behaviors can be valuable, but bringing awareness to feelings can be even more profound for ultimately shifting limiting beliefs and unhealthy behaviors. While EFT may seem focused on the individual, allowing each member of a system (in a family session for example) to authentically and honestly share their feelings in a way that they haven’t had the courage or opportunity to do so, may help reduce emotional suppression which may result in children acting out, for example. Internal Family Systems Therapy notes that people may have conflicting inner drives or parts, and allowing individuals in a system to give voice to these parts, may reduce polarized behavior within the system, allowing for greater acceptance and appreciation of different feelings. While all of the above is helpful, I believe that exploration of here and now feelings without a compass may leave things

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