A rediscovery of the individual in family therapy : a case study

• Main Author: Radomsky, Lynne
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Family psychotherapy - South Africa - Johannesburg - Case studies; Individuation (Psychology) - Suid-Afrika - Johannesburg - Case studies
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10073

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) === In families, almost no interaction is simply the result of group processes. Even when the process of interaction seems to take on a life of its own, it is the product of personalities, persons conscious of the possibilities of interactions. A perusal of the current literature reveals a move toward the reintroduction of the individual and his/her possibilities into the system. The insistence of a focus on family dynamics, while providing a sharpened awareness of relationships and interactive patterns, resulted in selective absorption and the tendency to ignore individual family matters. In this thesis it is suggested that there is a need for the reintroduction of the individual into family therapy practice. This approach is based on the discovery in a number of therapies, that different individual family members were reacting differently to the same intervention. A detailed case example is presented to illustrate this approach. The study questions the need for all family members to be present" in each therapy session. Furthermore, the study describes concurrent individual therapy processes with individual members of the family and the resulting systemic changes that were observed. Family therapy has demonstrated that it is important to consider relational as well as individual realities in evaluating health and dysfunction. Implications for therapy and treatment anslnq from this study include the need for a broader view which takes into account the realities of all members of the problem determined system. In conclusion, the author warns against the dangers of focusing on any single viewpoint. A lack of respect for the realities of all members of the professional family system, and adherence to a single perspective may in fact perpetuate the trauma and contribute to the distress of the family.