Couple vs. Family Therapy
To what extent do you view couple therapy as distinct from, or as a subset of, family therapy? What aspects or components of therapy do you feel apply to both couple and family therapy, and what aspects seem distinct between the two? How might a trauma history for one or more family members affect which approach you would choose? Please explain your views.
DQ 1.2: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
For obvious reasons, therapists are ethically obligated to assess for the presence and risk of violence within intimate partner relationships, and to plan for safety appropriately. Discuss how you might decide whether couple/family therapy is contraindicated for a couple at risk for IPV. How might you decide what alternative resources to refer them to, if not therapy? If you did become their therapist, how might you minimize the risk of harm? How might you explain any limitations on your availability of services, including what they should do in a crisis situation and what a reasonable safety plan might include?
