The Dynamics of Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Discussion 1

The Dynamics of Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Many of the counseling theories and techniques you have studied thus far in your program are applicable to both individual and marriage, couple, and family counseling. However, working with couples and families presents numerous theoretical, ethical, and practical challenges that are not present when counseling individuals. Delineating these challenges and recognizing the differences between the two subsets of counseling is an important exercise as you gain more advanced counseling knowledge and skills. This exercise will help you capture the complexity of working with clients from a systems perspective and have self-awareness of any skills you need to develop. With these thoughts in mind: Discussion Question:

Give three examples of how marriage, couple, and family counseling differs from individual counseling. Then, explain any challenges you may face when working with couples and families based on your current skills. Be specific.

· Resources

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· Article: Albee, G. W., & Ryan, K. (1998). An overview of primary prevention. Journal of Mental Health, 7(5), 441–449. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

· Article: Case, E. A., & Lindhorst, T. P. (2009). Toward a multi-level, ecological approach to the primary prevention of sexual assault: Prevention in peer and community contexts. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 10(2), 91–114. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

· Article: Hansen, J. T. (2009). Self-awareness revisited: Reconsidering a core value of the counseling profession. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(2), 186–193. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

· Article: McCarthy, B., Ginsberg, R. L., & Cintron, J. A. (2008). Primary prevention in the first two years of marriage. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 19(2), 143–156. Book Excerpt: Lewis, J. A., Lewis, M. D., Daniels, J. A., & D'Andrea, M. J. (2002). The Community Counseling Model  . In J. A. Lewis, M. D. Lewis, J. A. Daniels, & M. J. D'Andrea, Community counseling: Empowerment strategies for a diverse society (pp. 1–44). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Optional Resources

Articles

· American Counseling Association. (2005). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

· International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. (n.d.). IAMFC ethical codes. Retrieved from http://www.iamfconline.org/public/department3.cfm