Lessons learnt from the Family Crucibles

The Family Crucible is an interesting demonstration of the family systems theory and of therapy in session using the systems model.

From the first page when we are introduced to the Brice family we start experiencing the system in action. The book helps us see the family as a system and to understand how family problems arise through scapegoating, triangulation, diffusion of identity, blaming each other among such things. These are all common attributes in every family. Napier indicates that a lot of knowledge, energy, and interpersonal skills are demanded of the family therapist.

Therapy is considered a growth process in the lives of a family but the family must have the initiate to succeed in therapy. The therapist lets the family take the initiate while he observes. At this point the therapist provides a place of safety for the family. Being an outsider, the therapist is able to see things that the family is blind to. He monitors and interprets the family’s struggle. From this we observe how the therapist gains ground with the family during therapy. The book also introduces the concept that the family‘s problem emanates from how they relate with one another as a unit.

The different roles that the therapist plays during therapy are also addressed. One of the roles is to help the family question what they have been taught about relationships. The book exposes the underlying war that exists between the therapist and the family. Although the family recognizes that their system of operation has failed, they are not always willing to change. It is natural to resist change and the final outcome depends on the family’s courage and willingness to risk and the therapists’ real adequacy as a person both inside and outside his professional roles.

The therapist acquires the role of a parent or figure of authority with the family. He however has to earn this position because the family comes to therapy with their own structure, tone and rules. If the family’s case is very complex, the therapist may have to grow personally to be effective to the family. As an observer, the therapist notices things in the family that are not right. Part of the therapist job is to fault find which creates a dilemma and a threat to the therapist life. Some of the things happening in the family make the therapist uneasy because it strikes deeper chords in the therapist resonating with the problems in the therapist’s life.

Read more: http://bookstove.com/book-talk/lessons-learnt-from-the-family-crucible-whitaker-c-napier-a-1978/#ixzz0xk7cqiOA