Family Counseling Approach Research Paper

1. Running ahead: Family Counseling Approach Research Paper














Family Counseling Approach Research Paper
John Quincey Hooks, II
Liberty University
Counseling 603
December 17, 2010

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The underpinnings of marriage are collapsing in American culture at this time. This
collapse did not occur overnight but is the gradual decay of institutional and economic
foundations of marriage. The erosion of these values is most evident in the middle class. Since
1960, there has been a decline in the willingness to maintain a marriage. Secular authorities point
to the decline in marriages and increase in divorces over the latter part of the 20
th
century and
first part of the 21
st
century as a withdraw from marriage (Lopez, 2010).
This decline in marriage has affected children the most. Adults who divorce find it more
difficult to gain wealth. There are physiological and psychological effects as these adults are
prone to have more stress, depression and a higher mortality rate. The effects on children are
more pronounced. Children of divorce have been found to have rates of delinquency, drug use,
mental health issues, and pregnancies twice as that of their peers who are living with both
biological parents (Lopez, 2010).
The traditional view of marriage is being discarded and replaced with a faulty model
based on romantic love. Its stability is subject to the ebb and flow of martial satisfaction with
partners choosing to abandon the marriage then work through the lulls in satisfaction. Couples
now choosing to cohabitate rather than marry. This arrangement does harm to children as they
are much more likely to suffer emotion, sexual, and physical abuse than their peers from intact,
married families (Lopez, 2010).
It is during this time of crisis that the well tested model of Cognitive Behavior Therapy
has been applied to family and marriage counseling. Early behaviorists focused on the undesired
activity in a family setting than use assessments to gather a bigger picture of the family dynamics
at play. They focused on which could be observed and sought to extinguish the unwanted
behaviors through reinforcements (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008).

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Cognitive behavior therapy merges behavioral and cognitive principles and techniques in
a brief therapy approach. This therapy has had more empirical research done with it than any
other therapies. Despite the varied approaches, there are a common attributes that link them.
They are all based on a psychoeducational model which emphasizes homework, an active client
role outside of the sessions, and using various behavioral and cognitive methods to bring forth
change in the client (Corey, 2009).
One of the first cognitive therapies that arose and is still in wide use today is Rational
emotive behavior therapy (REBT). The main thrust of these therapy centers around thinking,
judgment, decision-making, analyzing, and acting. The philosophy of REBT is that people are
the cause for their problems and their symptoms. The interaction of cognitions, emotions, and
behaviors has a synenergy that lead to a reciprocal relationship. It is based on a simple cause and
effect model (Corey, 2009).
Albert Ellis brought forth this therapy as a reaction to the psychoanalytic model arguing
that it can be rather ineffective in helping people because sometimes the clients condition
deteriorated despite treatment. Ellis urged his clients to take risks and face their fears. As REBT
evolved, it came to focus on giving the client the necessary skills for bringing about change. Ellis
acknowledges the influence that Alfred Alder had on the evolution of REBT. From Alder, Ellis
drew from Alder the belief that emotions are the result of the interpretation of life experiences
and the reaction of clients to those experiences. Through this process, clients develop irrational
beliefs which are maintained by self-indoctrination. The clients learn the skills necessary to
replace the irrational beliefs with rational ones. Therefore, the focus is on thinking and acting
rather than expressing feelings. Ellis saw other forms of therapy which focus on the expression

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of feelings as helping the client to feel better but not helping the client to get better (Corey,
2009).
The key to the theory and practice of REBT is the A-B-C structure. A is an attitude, a
fact, an event, or behavior of the client. C is the response of the client through emotions and
actions. The response can be beneficial or detrimental. A is not what causes C to happen but B is.
B is the belief a client has about A that leads to C. The counselor helps the client in this situation
by changing the equation but disputing B leading to a new effect and resulting in a new feeling
(Corey, 2009).
The counselor chooses interventions for the client who will lead to detecting, debating,
and discriminating. The clients are taught how to detect irrational beliefs. Then the clients are
encouraged to debate their irrational beliefs by learning how to question them and using
empirical data, argue themselves out of these irrational beliefs. Finally, the clients are taught how
to discriminate between rational and irrational beliefs (Corey, 2009).
Central to the healing process is cognitive restructuring. People are taught to replace their
negative cognitions about themselves with constructive cognitions. The clients learn to monitor
their self talk for negative self-talk and replace those maladaptive cognitions with positive self-
talk (Corey, 2009).
Ellis has a very optimistic outlook for clients’ capacity for change. He holds that clients’
are able to change their cognitions and emotions as well as behaviors. This is achieving by
avoiding a preoccupation with A and C but choosing to examine and modify B. By putting
irrational beliefs out by the cognitive roots, the clients get better (Corey, 2009).

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Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems
Families come to counselors seeking help. They seek out this help because they have not
been successful in bringing out this change in themselves. However, lasting change comes from
internal motivation and not external forces. Jesus Christ referred to this motivation and the
importance of the heart in these matters in Matthew 15:10-11. It is not those forces from outside
that corrupt people but it is the corruption inside their hearts. A great deal of trouble people have
is due to heart trouble. This is why the Apostle Paul urges believers not to conform to the
external pressures of the world but be internally renewed (Romans 12:1-2) and bringing captive
the thoughts of the mind to the will of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). In this way change can be
brought about for the client (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
Cognitive Behavior Therapy has a variety of approaches based on four foundational
principles. The first principle is that the counselor-client relationship is to be one of
collaboration. Second, psychological stresses are the manifestation of problems in the cognitive
processes. Third, changes in cognitions will bring about changes in behaviors. Fourth, the
treatment is to concrete and structured with a time limit geared towards educating the client
(Corey, 2009).
The early model of Cognitive Behavior Therapy was orientated towards behavior
modification through problem solving and behavioral contracting. It dealt in negations to deal
with the problem behaviors. Research has indicated that there was more involved in successful
resolution of the problem then cognitive change (Baucom & Epstein, 1991).
The counselor does not act as a referee or judge in the counseling session by declaring
one side as being right and the other side being wrong since it would be self defeating and
potentially damage the therapeutic alliance between counselor and clients. Cognitive Behavior

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Therapy has proven to be quite flexible in its approach as it has evolved over time based on latest
research and observations. The interventions used in this therapy have been expanded and made
more specific to deal with the problems found in relationships (Baucom & Epstein, 1991).
This broadened of the scope of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to include the affective
elements as well as certain cognitive elements which were ignored by earlier behaviorists. It has
been found that there are three elements at play in relationships according to behaviorists. These
are behavioral, cognitive, and affective which all combine to form a relationship. These elements
can change independent of the other elements. Therefore, this reality requires the counselor to
understand that the situation may require a different set of interventions and these interventions
may have some overlap (Baucom & Epstein, 1991).
The behavioral approach is a relatively new development in family therapy. This trend
arose from behaviorist therapists working with individual clients to deal with current issues.
Working with marital and parenting issues, behavioral therapists have embraced systems
thinking. The focal point is learned behaviors and how to modify those behaviors. In the marital
and parenting settings, the behavioral therapists work to change the behaviors between involved
parties (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
This has led behaviorists to an understanding that partners in a relationship communicate
on two different levels of equal importance. First, communication occurs to resolve conflicts.
Behavior marital therapy in the 1970's realized this reality and focused on teaching problem
solving skills. As more research was carried out, it was found there was a second reason couples
communicated and this communication required a set of skills separate from conflict resolution.
This second reason for communication was the sharing of emotions and feelings. Couples were

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then taught how to communicate their feelings and emotions in a more specific manner (Baucom
& Epstein, 1991).
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy has been shown to very successful in the treatment of
adolescents suffering from depression. Several professional groups recommend it for this
purpose due to the success rate that it has had in numerous studies. In a comparison with usual
clinic treatments, it was shown to be as effective in a shorter amount of time with less cost
(Weisz, et. al. 2009).
Research
Behavior Marital Therapy has built upon the foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
to give it a solid base on which to build. It has been tested and researched numerous times
pointing to its general effectiveness. It is interesting to note that it was found to be very effective
in dealing with couples battling depression (Jacobson, Follette, & Pagel, 1986).
It has been found that how a couple handles negativity in their relationship is a predictor
of future difficulties. It is not anger that determines the potential for divorce. Instead, it is four
types of negativity known as “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (Goldenberg &
Goldenberg, 2008).
The first horseman rides the horse known as criticism in which a spouse attacks the other
spouse’s character. The second horseman rides the horse known as defensiveness in which
spouses refuses to take responsibility for their actions. The third horseman rides the horse known
as contempt which shows itself as abusive attitudes towards one’s spouse. The fourth horseman
rides the horse known as stonewalling in which one spouse withdraws and refuses to listen to the
other spouse (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008).

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In fact, behavior marital therapy has been shown to reduce marital distress when
compared to those who do not receive this form of therapy. It works for depression and
alcoholism also. Due to its success, it has become widely used by marital therapists. It was found
that 31% of clinicians indicated that it was their primary treatment according to a survey
conducted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. It is one of the older
therapies and has been thoroughly researched leaving fewer questions than the newer therapies
(Shadish & Baldwin, 2005).
Personal Integration
Christian counseling is gaining ground as a profession with the increase of Christian,
biblical, and pastoral counselors. Degrees in counseling are being offered at more Christian
institutions and there are more professional organizations such as the American Association of
Christian Counselors. There are more options for Christian counselors than in the past (Jones,
2006).
In God’s plan, the family is the building block of society. It has functions which
individuals as well as families rely for basic survival and provide meaning to life. First, the
family is God’s method of regulating sex and reproduction. God’s design is for these gifts are to
be within the parameters of marriage keeping “the marriage bed undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4, King
James Version). It is the means by which individuals learn to interact with other people. It is in
this microcosm of society that individuals learn their roles and rules for living in the culture
which shapes individuals’ identity (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
The Christian counselor must remember four basic concepts about the family. It is the
integration of God’s definition and purpose for the family. Remembering these concepts will
greatly aid the counselor in working with families (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).

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First of all, the family is a reflection of God. The interaction of the personalities in a
family is the living embodiment of the triune God and the interaction of the persons of the
Trinity. Each personality in the Trinity has a distinctive personality yet they form one God. In the
same way, each member of the family is unique and distinct yet forms one family (Clinton &
Ohlschlager, 2002).
The health and maturity of the individual and the family are woven together. An
individuals’ degree of health and maturity have been shown to be directly related to the
exposures to their families. Exposure to a healthy family relates to individuals being mature and
having overall good mental health. God has designed the family as the primary unit to teach
selflessness to individuals but with the breakdown of the family in America, selfishness has
replaced selflessness The society has become self-centered rather than other-focus as a result.
The substitutes for the family that the world is offering are a false hope and will cause a great
deal of grief in the long term (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
The family is a representation of the church. As the family is symbolic of the Trinity, it is
also a symbol of the church. Both institutions have members who build relations within the
boundaries of the institution as well as with the world outside the institution. The family is how
individuals learn to interact within the larger group of the church. The church is referred to as the
family of God and its dynamics are similar to those found in the family. The purpose of the
family is to socialize its members so that they may be integrated into the larger family of God
thus becoming a loyal, productive member (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
The patriarchs in the book of Genesis had a problem with lying (Green, 1971). This seen
from Abraham lying about the nature of his marital status (Genesis 20:2) to Joseph’s deceiving

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his brothers by not initially revealing his true identity till later (Genesis 42:7-13). Even Isaac was
deceived by Jacob (Genesis 27:24-25).
The sins of the father impact the following generations (Exodus 20:5). Problems can
carry on through several generations in a family but a problem can be stopped in a family. There
are generational curses as seen by family histories containing alcoholism, abuse, violence, and
depression. While there is a genetic disposition towards these issues, the physical aspect is not
the only aspect. There is a spiritual element to these issues. A Christian counselor must balance
the physical and spiritual to bring about healing that is possible through the redemption and
reconciliation that comes through Jesus Christ. Just as sins travel down the generational river, so
do the blessings flow from the throne room of Heaven (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
In my own experience, I have found that my life is the integration of the sacred and the
secular. Even as a child, I strived to integrate what I learned in church with what I was learning
in the secular schools I attended. Even now, I see the tensions between theology and psychology
as I integrate these fields of study into my own personal theory. I look to these two fields to be
allies rather than enemies. I believe as a Christian that Christ can transform the culture and the
individual. His Word and His work have revealed His Truth within these pages. This is known as
special and general revelation in theology (Entwisle, 2004).
Value-free counseling does not exist. The worldview of counselors affects how they
interact with their clients. Therefore, I have to be aware of my worldview which is that of an
evangelical conservative Christian. The Scriptures are God’s Holy Word written by men under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit without error making them inerrant and infallible. The Word is
sufficient to provide wisdom and counseling for life. Humans are unique in creation having been
made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) but with the entrance of sin into the world (Genesis 3),

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humans are fallen creatures corrupted by sin. There is hope for reconciliation and restoration
through Jesus Christ making a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The focal point of Christian
counseling is to bring the client to a covenant relationship with God which may be called
“covenantal discipleship” (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002).
In Christian counseling, room should be made for the work of the Holy Spirit. Counseling
should treat the spiritual as well as the emotional pain. All theories and techniques should be
filtered by a biblical worldview and not condone anything that goes against biblical principles.
As a counselor, I will be aware of my worldview, work to improve my skills in the use of
inventions, and continue my spiritual growth so I may be more effective as a counselor (Buford,
1997).
Philosophy
The Behavioral Marital Therapy to be the one that closest fits my personality so I am
adopting it as my primary methodology. The therapy is to be brief which will provide savings in
the long term for my clients.
Humans are sinful according to the Bible. Sin corrupts humankind and all of creation. Sin
is universal as Paul writes in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God” (King James Version). Humans are made in the image of God but sinful and needing
salvation and sanctification. The term Imago Dei is used to describe the creation of humans. This
term is used to refer to the human spirit. It is being made in the image of God that separates
humans from the rest of creation. Due to being made in God’s image, humans have the capacity
for logic and reason (Entwisle, 2004).
Suffering entered into the world through the sin of Adam. Adam who had been created in
the image of God was now an image of horror unto God. Humans are not equipped to deal with

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the reality of the fallen creation because it was not how God originally designed it or humankind.
This reality is because of Adam’s abuse of his freewill (Lewis, 1944).
There must be a broader understanding of the elements involved with psychological and
spiritual well-being within a Christian worldview. McMinn (1996) points out those clients need a
proper understanding and acceptance of themselves for there to be a healthy identity. The danger
is that clients will become selfish and arrogant. The Christian counselor is to help the client
move past the legalism of the preoccupation of good and bad into a healthy sense of self and
interaction with others (McMinn, 1996).
As clients grow in grace they experience personal growth. Grace has three elements
according to McMinn (2008). I will help the clients with the first element of grace by providing a
safe environment for them to explore and solve problems. The second element is where I
collaborate with the client help them as well as myself come to a fuller understanding of
themselves and their worldview. Here is where we will work to recognize irrational beliefs,
negative self-talk and negative cognitions so that they can be replaced with rational belief,
positive self-talk and positive cognitions. The final element is where the client experiences being
in a community of believers. This stage in grace will bring forth spiritual growth and mental
health. It is the purpose of this stage for clients to have the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit in their lives (McMinn, 2008).
Personal Methodology
The primary benefit of martial behavioral therapy is the flexibility it affords a counselor.
This flexibility comes from the wide variety cognitive, emotive, and behavioral interventions
available to counselors so they may custom create a therapy for each client. This ensures the
highest quality treatment for clients. I will also be open to using techniques and interventions

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from other therapies as well. I will challenge irrational beliefs which my clients may have and
provide guidance so they can have beneficial changes in their lives. To further this goal, I will
keep accurate and detailed records of our interactions so that changes may be documented to
show progress (Corey, 2009).
I will use the Bible and prayer as well as secular methods in my counseling. I will be
pragmatic in my selection of interventions filtering them through God’s Word to make sure they
do not violate biblical principles. In the area of prayer, I will be mindful of the setting and
situation. Not every time is a good time for public prayer but I will pray for my clients in my
quiet time with God. I will take into consideration the spiritual maturity of the client before
proceeding in prayer with them (McMinn, 1996).
Comparison and Contrast
Similarities exist between secular theory and my personal theory. First of all, my theory
seeks to bring healing to those who are hurting which is the goal of secular theories also. Both
theories will use the latest research, techniques, and methods to bring forth healing. Finally, my
theory notes the importance of human relationships like the secular theories.
However, there are some major differences. My theory recognizes a crucial element
which secular theories ignore. This element is the importance of a relationship between the
individual with God through Jesus Christ. Second, my theory draws from the Bible as the final
authority while secular theories conclude that science is the final authority. A final difference is
that my theory recognizes the reality of sin while secular theories deny sin’s existence (Jones,
2006).

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Conclusion
Counseling is not new. God is the first counselor as seen by His intervention offered in
Genesis (Adams, 1973). When Cain became angry at the rejection of his offering, God warned
Cain about the consequences of his actions (Green, 1971). Cain rejected this counsel and
suffered the consequences for killing Abel (Genesis 4:6-7).
My personal theory is sensitive to my clients. I am sensitive to the leading of the Holy
Spirit to seek out and use the proper techniques and interventions with my clients. I must be
aware of my client’s spiritual maturity. The information I collect by taking notes will gain me the
information I need and my prayers will grant me the wisdom necessary to be effective in helping
my client.

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Reference
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