Today's theory topic will focus on Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy. We have covered other theories before today that you can search for using the search bar at the top of this page. Other theories we have covered include: Milan Systemic, Play therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Human Validation Process Model, Group Therapy, Systems Theory vs Postmodernism, Feminist Theory, General Systems Theory, CBT, Strategic, Structural, Narrative, Solution-Focused, and Extended Family Systems...
Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy evolved from Carl Whitaker and focuses on personal growth of individual family members and changing interactions and patterns. The premise of therapy is growth within the family rather than solving the presenting problem.
The focus of Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy is personal growth of individual family members and symbolic experiences. Clients move back and forth between the four stages of treatment:
(a) Battle for Structure;
(b) Battle for Initiative;
(c) Trail of Labor; and
(d) Termination
Pathology in an identified patient is seen as being stuck in the growth process. Therefore, disruption in the family system is healthy because it is viewed as an attempt to change. SEFT therapists view the family from the inside "looking out."
Through relationships, individuals are always developing and redeveloping their personal values, beliefs, identities, and sense of self. This is part of the growth process. SEFT encourages family members to assist each other in preserving and encouraging intrinsic growth not based on the needs of the family. In this process the therapist supports the family in seeing individual members as extensions of the family component. As a result, the individual has a strong sense of I-ness and because of that moments of we-ness are more rewarding.
Symbolic-Experiential family therapists use playfulness, humor, and care as the foundation for growth. The therapist is an active participant, but not directive. Often, a co-therapist is used so that one may be confrontational while the other is supportive. The stages of therapy include:
Battle for Structure: The stage in the therapy process where rules are provided for the sessions and family members are required to participate. The therapist gains information about the family system's level of conflict, roles, boundaries, coalitions, etc.
Battle for Initiative: The therapist allows the family system to determine the pace and course of therapy. He is more of a participant, letting tension and crisis build so that the family system develops an incentive to change.
Trail of Labor: Observation of how the family system responds to the therapist's interventions and interactions with the family. Results in understanding the family's interactional patterns.