NCJ Number
64073
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 54-61
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY THERAPY, INVESTIGATES PROGRAMS USING THIS APPROACH TO DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, AND ILLUSTRATES ITS EFFECTS UPON INDIVIDUAL CASES.
Abstract
FAMILY THERAPY WAS DEVELOPED IN THE 1960'S AND IS INCREASINGLY BEING PRACTICED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. AS THE MOST INTENSIVE FORM OF FAMILY COUNSELING, IT GOES BEYOND THE INDIVIDUAL PSYCHE TO PROBE THE INTERACTIONS AMONG ALL MEMBERS OF A HOUSEHOLD. SESSIONS ARE OFTEN TRAUMATIC BECAUSE STRESS IS DELIBERATELY CREATED SO THAT THE RESPONSES AND ENSUING DIALOGUE WILL LEAD TO CHANGE IN THE DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS OF INTERACTION. ONE OF THE TENETS OF THIS APPROACH IS THAT EVEN WHEN A FAMILY DISPLAYS SIGNS OF DISINTEGRATION, SUCH AS ALCOHOLISM OR UNEMPLOYMENT, IT ALSO CONTAINS STRENGTHS WHICH CAN BE NURTURED TO RESHAPE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR. A PROGRAM OPERATING IN BROCKTON, MASS., IS DESCRIBED, WHICH WORKS WITH TEENAGERS FACING PENDING CRIMINAL CHARGES. A VARIETY OF SERVICES ARE OFFERED THE DELINQUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES INCLUDING DAILY SCHOOL SESSIONS, FAMILY COUNSELING, AND VISITS TO PRISONS FOR COUNSELING BY INMATES. LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE OFTEN ENLISTED AS STAFF ASSISTANTS. DESPITE ENCOURAGING ATTITUDE CHANGES AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE 2-YEAR PROGRAM HAS ITS CRITICS, AND CLAIMS OF REDUCED RECIDIVISM REMAIN SPECULATIVE. A NEW YORK PROGRAM IS DISCUSSED, WHICH ENCOMPASSES GROUP HOME SERVICES, COMMUNITY-BASED COUNSELING CENTERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE CLINICS, AND WAS THE FIRST TO PRACTICE FAMILY THERAPY. A VARIANT APPROACH TO FAMILY THERAPY, PRACTICED IN PHILADELPHIA, OPERATES LIVING LABORATORIES IN APARTMENTS WHERE TROUBLED FAMILIES LIVE. FAMILIES ARE CONSTANTLY OBSERVED FOR 3-WEEK PERIODS GIVING THERAPISTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIAGNOSE INTERACTION PROBLEMS FASTER. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)