Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / Theraplay is a technique used to replicate healthy parent-child interactions in order to build healthy attachments. Theraplay is a short-term therapeutic approach that is intimate, physical, personal and enjoyable. The goal of Theraplay is to improve attachments, self-esteem and trust in the relationship. The use of Theraplay has been shown to be beneficial for people of all ages including infants up to geriatric clients. This report offers an overview of Theraplay, provides clinical issues in which Theraplay can be implemented, describes the Theraplay process, and gives implications for further research. Because Theraplay is a highly specialized field, this report also gives information on how to become certified in Theraplay. This report was written for Masters' and Doctoral students in the mental health field that have an interest in working with clientele with attachment injuries.

There has been relatively little robust research investigating the experience of family therapy from a client’s perspective. Much of the literature fails to make clear their methods for analysing the data, and takes an ‘either or’ approach to family and individual perspectives. Thus, either whole family perspectives, or the perspectives of a particular group are sought, making it difficult to understand the impact of the family context on individual perspectives or vice versa. The present research seeks to understand the family therapy experiences of individuals within their familial context. Two families of three were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results are presented as two family case studies. One over-arching theme of ‘the safety of the therapeutic relationship’ emerged from the accounts of both families. The therapeutic relationship provided the safety to talk and explore problems and relationships. This was described as cathartic and helped family members to see themselves and each other differently. Varying degrees of exploration of individuals was associated with differing levels of engagement with therapy. Being able to explore relationships for both families allowed them to develop new understandings of each other. Gender also emerged as an important theme and this is discussed in relation to issues of power and gender. Some key methodological limitations of the research including the small number of participants and the impact of an overly detailed interview schedule on the data are discussed. As this study involves two case studies of three family members each, it is not easily transferable, but points to some key themes and processes which have implications for practice and future research.

This study can be seen as an exploration of the contributions (or lack thereof) made from various schools of family therapy with regards to culture, and, as an augmentation to the current literature, through articulating a South African Indian Muslim family narrative. It commences with a review of the academic literature, comprising of the studies and general approaches taken towards the subject matter of culture and family therapy within this field. The study thereafter offers a description of the epistemological framework from which the author is operating which can be seen as a combination of second-order cybernetics and social constructionism. This serves to familiarize readers with the frame of reference that has guided the approach to this study as it impacts significantly on the manner in which research is conducted. A detailed discussion of the research approach adopted in this study thus ensues. The research approach assumes a postmodern flavour and can be regarded as alternate paradigm research. The study also engages in an examination of the various discourses or schools of thought that have provided the predominant epistemological orientations within the field of family therapy. These are the systemic, first and second order cybernetics, constructivist, social constructionist and narrative approaches. The core characteristics of these discourses are critically described and their associated ramifications for culture are explored. Finally, the study attempts to articulate a South African Indian Muslim family narrative. In doing so, it draws on a number of combined resources. The primary source of data is in the form of personal narratives that are extracted from the author's own experiences and observations of being a member of this specific cultural group. This data is supplemented with community narratives regarding the family. These narratives are extrapolated through participant observation in a community setting. The main themes that emerge from both sources are then utilized as areas of discussion. At the same time, these narratives reflect specific cultural and religious discourses as the latter is threaded into the fabric of the former. The main areas of discussion involve family structure, cohesion, role allocation, communication, hierarchy and life cycle. Those academic narratives which are considered to be applicable and relevant are applied to the data where necessary, thereby highlighting features of significance and illuminating points of convergence and contrast. The author also attempts to explore the systems of meaning that may inform the patterns in the family. / Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Psychology / unrestricted

Este trabalho objetivou conhecer o processo de busca e a clientela atendida em terapia de casal e família. Para tanto, realizaram-se dois estudos. Inicialmente, através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, foram identificados seis fatores associados à busca pelas terapias de casal e família: fatores pessoais, relacionais, culturais, de gênero, estratégias anteriores de ajuda e tipo de problema. Posteriormente, através de um estudo empírico, a clientela atendida em terapia familiar em uma clínica-escola de Porto Alegre (RS) foi caracterizada. Foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas com 41 adultos encaminhados para terapia familiar, nas quais foram investigadas variáveis sociodemográficas e familiares, o processo de busca de ajuda, o problema apresentado, tentativas anteriores de ajuda utilizadas e expectativas sobre o tratamento. Os resultados permitem reflexões sobre a prática clínica com famílias em clínicas-escola, especialmente a respeito do envolvimento dos clientes no processo terapêutico e à transição da queixa para a demanda desde o período de avaliação inicial. / This research aimed to investigate the help seeking process and the clients attended in couples and family therapy. To achieve this objective, two studies were realized. First, a systematic literature review identified six factors associated with the search for couples and family therapy: personal factors, relationship factors, gender, cultural aspects, prior sources of help and type of problem. After that, a second study characterized the clients attended in family therapy in a school clinic located in Porto Alegre (RS). Structured interviews with 41 adults referred for family therapy were realized. Sociodemographic and familial variables, the search for help process, the main problem, the prior sources of help and the expectations about the treatment were investigated. These results allows reflections about family therapy practice in school clinics, especially about the involvement of the clients on therapeutic process and the transition from the first complaint to the real demand since evaluation period.

Ao longo da formação em psicologia, o estudante realiza atendimentos clínicos com o objetivo de construir sua identidade de terapeuta e utilizar, na prática, as teorias e técnicas que aprendeu. Na literatura brasileira são poucos os estudos que abordam essa etapa da formação quando se refere ao atendimento familiar. Através da análise e interpretação de material clínico oriundo de quatro casos atendidos por estudantes em um serviço-escola, esta pesquisa, de natureza clínico-qualitativa, teve como objetivo investigar, sob o referencial teórico da psicanálise familiar, as várias dimensões desse processo terapêutico na interface com a formação clínica do aluno. Os estudantes apresentaram dificuldades em identificar e manejar a transferência e contratransferência, atuando em papéis diversos que não o que lhes cabia enquanto terapeutas. Sensações corporais e sentimentos negativos como raiva e desapontamento foram registrados por parte dos terapeuta-estagiários ao longo dos atendimentos. O manejo adequado e a possibilidade de fazer interpretações e apontamentos mais precisos, favoreceu, em alguns casos, a transição de uma queixa depositada em um membro (paciente identificado) para uma demanda que envolvia o grupo. A supervisão, o procedimento de registro de sessão e materiais artísticoexpressivos auxiliaram os alunos na construção da identidade de terapeuta. A análise do material coletado permitiu constatar que, ao longo do(s) processo(s) psicoterápico(s) muitos deles foram se posicionando de forma mais segura, podendo fazer apontamentos ao mesmo tempo em que já não atuavam tanto em sessão, assegurando-se de suas funções. O atendimento familiar, por um lado, mobilizou alguns terapeutas no sentido de dificultar a construção e assunção desse papel. Por outro lado, foi notável o crescimento e desenvolvimento de diversas habilidades importantes no processo terapêutico. Outros aspectos além dos aqui estudados também são fundamentais para o processo de formação do terapeuta familiar tais como a terapia do próprio estudante e a aprendizagem da teoria psicanalítica familiar / During the training in psychology, the undergraduate student performs clinical care in order to build his therapist identity and use in practice the theories and techniques he learned. In Brazilian literature there are few studies that address this stage of training when it comes to family treatment. Through the analysis and interpretation of clinical material from four cases attended by undergraduate students in a clinic-school, this research, clinical and qualitative nature, aimed to investigate under the theoretical framework of family psychoanalysis, the various dimensions of this therapeutic process in interface with the clinical training of the undergraduate student. The undergraduate students presented difficulties in identifying and handling the transference and countertransference, acting in different roles than it was up to them as therapists. Bodily sensations and negative feelings such as anger and disappointment were recorded by the therapist interns over the calls. Proper management and the ability to make more precise interpretations and notes, favored in some cases, the transition to a complaint filed in a member (identified patient) to a demand that enveloped the group. Supervision, the session registration procedure and artistic and expressive materials helped undergraduate students in building therapist identity. The analysis of the collected material it was established that, over method psychotherapy many of them were positioning themselves more safely and can make interventions at the same time that they no longer act out in session, assuring their role as therapist. The family treatment, on the one hand, mobilized some therapists in order to hinder the construction and assumption of that role. On the other hand, was remarkable growth and development of several important skills in the therapeutic process. Other aspects than those studied here are also central to the family therapist formation process such as the student\'s own therapy and learning of family psychoanalytic theory

Survivors of sex trafficking report numerous intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual challenges which likely play a role in their transition out of commercial sexual exploitation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to begin investigating survivors’ perceptions of the transition process, namely barriers they encounter along the way. Researchers facilitated semi-structured qualitative interviews with six survivors enrolled in a residential recovery program. Analyses yielded two themes: 1) intrapersonal barriers and 2) service barriers. Intrapersonal barriers included codes such as emotional control, self-perception, addiction, and mental health. Service barriers included codes related to specialized professional support, non-professional support, tangible resources, and intangible resources. This poster will provide an overview of themes and codes, as well as a description of the practical significance of the study results. Findings have important implications for the broader understanding of sex trafficking survivor needs during a particularly vulnerable point in their long-term recovery process.

Emotionally Focused Therapy has been shown to produce statistically significant and sustainable change in couples (Wiebe, Johnson, Lafontaine, Burgess Moser, Dalgleish, & Tasca, 2017). This change has also been shown to extend to the family system through the use of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (Stavrianopoulos, Faller, & Furrow, 2014). The methodology focuses on developing resilience through the co-regulation of the family system by developing secure attachment bonds (Wiebe & Johnson, 2017). EFFT strives to develop a high level of security within families that promotes more fluid communication patterns and more flexible problem solving strategies (Johnson & Lee, 2005). One of the most important steps in developing this security is by clarifying the current interactional cycles taking place, which typically leave the attachment needs of the family unmet (Johnson & Brubacher, 2016). Clinicians who help clients track their interactional cycles lay the foundation for effective change.

Articles published in the Journal of Family Psychology over a 23-year period (1990-2012) were analyzed for their attention to ethnic groups in the United States. Articles were analyzed in terms of their ethnic population of interest, topic of study, funding sources, sample characteristics, and use of measures. Findings indicated that the journal has showed an increased focus on and sensitivity to issues relevant to ethnic groups in the U.S. However, there are several gaps in research for some groups, especially for Native American populations. Recommendations are offered to family science researchers, psychologists and other mental health professionals and educators.

As pornography has become more widespread, young people are being exposed to pornography at earlier ages. Research examining the relationship between timing of exposure to pornography and outcomes in adulthood of mental health, life satisfaction, sexual behavior and attitudes, and pornography viewing patterns is limited. This study focuses on the relationship between timing of exposure to pornography and individual outcomes in adulthood. Results indicate that earlier exposure to pornography may significantly influence mental health, life satisfaction, sexual behavior and attitudes, and pornography viewing patterns in adulthood. Implications of this study include greater awareness of the risks of early exposure to pornography and unrestrained access to sexually explicit material for young people.

The purpose of this content analysis was to analyze the past 25 years of research in two major social work journals, Social Work and Research on Social Work Practice, to provide a status update on the amount of ethnic-focused research being published within the discipline. This analysis examined trends in ethnic-focused publications, the change across time in percent of focused articles, the top topics studied, per ethnic group, the top funded topics, most and least involved funding agencies, geographical groupings of focused samples, the setting of the samples, measures used, and the percentage of samples based in a clinical versus non-clinical setting. Results showed there has been continued growth and improvement in quality and quantity of minority-focused research in both journals, although there is still room for growth within the discipline towards increased multicultural competence. While the majority of focused research studied African American and Latinos, little attention was given to Asian and Native American populations. Furthermore, while almost twice as many focused articles were funded, compared to non-focused articles, the types of topics being funded are still not as representative of the needs of ethnic minority populations as they could be. While the increase in ethnic focused research over the past 25 years is promising, additional focus within the field is warranted. Suggestions are given to improve the quality and quantity of ethnic-focused research over time.