Marriage and Family Counseling
Marriage and Family Counseling
The goal of marriage and family counseling is to help individuals and couples find personal growth, healthy relationships, and better communication (Carson, 2011). Paul and Angelika are going through domestic violence related to disagreements regarding parenting skills, cultural differences, money sharing and utilization, lack of intimate relationship, and how to discipline their son. The problems are affecting the couple with Angelica experiencing daily drinking as a result of stress. Domestic squabbles could affect Paul’s performance in his demanding position. Angelika travels away from home for periods longer than 30 days to her native home leaving the child with his father. Their son does not have friends and finds difficulty sleeping, possibly, due to negligence and worries and trauma experienced as a result of quarreling parents.
Challenging Aspects of the Scenario
The case is a chronic failure of marriage and the couple through self-referral enrolled for therapy about a month ago. However, the problem involves historical issues going back to the childhood experiences of the couple. Angelica suffered childhood neglect by her mother, and it seems the cause of her problems is that experience with her mother. Her condition is complex because she engages in alcohol and reports slight mental retardation. She claims to see images of her long departed father. The husband works in a demanding job, and the problem could affect his performance, which will have far-reaching consequences as he is the provider in the family. Peter (son) expresses signs of effect. He does not keep a friend and does not sleep adequately. It is a delicate situation involving several problems integrating into a complex dilemma. It is significant that the parties are both willing to seek professional help hinting at a potential agreement between the two parties.
ACA and AAMFT Codes of Ethics
Marital and Family psychologists perceive the family as the client, and not the individual (Malone, 2010). Several issues may arise depending on the complexity of dilemma. It is an ethical requirement of the American Association of Counselors (ACA) and AAMFT that therapist must not impose their values on the family or couple (Bradley, Hendricks, & Kabell, 2011). This can reinforce harm already done. The therapist facilitates the determination of values by parties involved regarding marriage, divorce, lifestyle, child rearing, extramarital affairs, gender roles, and preservation of the family. Therapists guard against bias by avoiding imposing values. Confidentiality is vital in conducting marriage and family therapy. Maintaining confidentiality may limit the disclosure of critical information while full disclosure discourages members from sharing critical information necessary for therapy.
Decision Making Model
In deciding the course of action, the initial step is to determine the ethical issues constituting dilemmas (Malone, 2010). The second step is the identification of the ACA, AAMFT, and NASW guidelines relevant to couples counseling. The next step is the review of the laws relating to the issue of concern. Then, seek consultation from colleagues and supervisors. The next is considering the course of action, exploring the consequences of each action, and choosing the best action to implement. The case of Paul and Angelika is complex and encompasses several factors. It requires a comprehensive method of assessment, in order to determine the most correct course of action for the problem. Therefore, the therapy will employ the Tarvydas Integrative Decision-making Model for Ethical Behavior, whose rationale suits the expectation for such a complex scenario. It promotes a participatory fact finding and determination of the course of action devoid of therapist bias; the solution comes from the involved partners (Weld & Eriksen, 2006).
The Tarvydas Integrative Decision-Making Model of Ethical Behavior
The basis for choosing this model is because it integrates the values and virtues of most ethical decision making models (Malone, 2010). In addition, it incorporates contextual component. It facilitates interaction between the elements and process involved. It incorporates the reflective elements, so as to get perspectives from the different parties involved. The model aims to develop the best actual ethical behavior that is specific to the context. The model maintains the attitude of reflection and facilitates persons involved striving to find the right course of action. The idea is to find a balance between the parties and ethical dilemmas.
Stage 1: Interpreting the situation. The therapist, through awareness and fact finding, identifies the stakeholders and ethical issues (Ibid). The aim is to uncover much information than is visible on the surface. In relation to the case, the couple has been attending therapy sessions for a month by self referral. The parties involved are Paul and Angelika while the issues constituting ethical challenges are issues concerning parenting, handling of finances, and concerns about how to discipline their child. These issues constitute domestic violence in one way or another. The fact finding mission engages both parties, listens to the differing parties and interprets the issues, in relation to the ethical codes (Weld & Eriksen, 2006).
Stage 2: In this stage, a therapist reviews the ethical dilemma or problem (Weld & Eriksen, 2006). The practitioner determines the ethical codes applicable to the dilemma. The next step is to generate possible and probable courses of action. Here, therapists analyze and weigh the positive versus the negative consequences of each potential action. It may involve reflection and consultation with expert professionals. After consultation, the practitioner then chooses the best course of action to take. The issues relating to Paul’s and Angelika’s marriage are complex. A single therapist may not be able to analyze information and design therapy. Issues involved are sensitive issues child development, cultural differences, financial differences, and lack of intimate marital relationship. They combine to create a complicated problem, and, therefore, consultation becomes imperative.
Stage 3: This involves selection of an action by weighing competing non-moral values, prejudices, and personal blind spots (Malone, 2010). At this stage, the therapist also considers contextual influences before making the final decision on a choice of action. Paul complains that Angelika does not want to adapt to his culture. The cultural diversity creates a difference in values between the two parties. The counselor has to weigh and create a balance acceptable to both parties.
Stage 4:Planning and Execution of the chosen course of action (Ibid). This involves data compilation and development of an action plan. It involves the consideration of the consequences of the various actions to be taken. It also analyzes the barriers of implementation in relation to the context. This stage is instrumental because it determines sustainability of the corrective action. A biased action may cause one party to withdraw from participating in the implementation of the solution.
Pros and Cons
Tarvydas Integrative Decision-Making Model of Ethical Behavior is a comprehensive approach to problem analysis and decision making (Durband, Britt, & Grable, 2010). It involves reflective elements leading to finding a balance between parties. The other advantage is that it is an integrated model that incorporates elements from different models. The third advantage is that it is participatory; the solution comes from the parties involved. The role of marriage and family therapist is to facilitate fact finding and solution development. Therefore, the parties involved in the counseling are likely to welcome outcome of the therapy process. Finally, the model is contextual; it can adapt to different contexts. The solution arrived at is unique to the context of the problem. However, the method may not be applicable in cases where the parties involved in the counseling process are not cooperative. For instance, issues relating to religion are hard to compromise and may stall the counseling process from moving forward. It is difficult to apply various methods because parties take hard-line positions, which may not be subject to any changes.
Ethical Concerns for the FutureAngelika is at an extreme level of stress and depression. In addition to marital concerns, she is experiencing problems that originate from her childhood experiences. The marriage and family therapy is unlikely to be sufficient for her. She needs additional input by specialists in cognitive psychology. This may, therefore, imply referral to the relevant specialists. These problems may be the underlying causes of the marriage problems. She engages in stress drinking, which may heighten her status of mental problems. The other area of concern for the future of the family is the well-being and psychological health of the child (Peter). The family’s problems spill over to the child as he sometimes gets caught up in conflicts between the parents. This is likely to affect her education too, and, so, requires monitoring to avoid future complications. The situation of the child is similar to his mother’s childhood experiences. Angelika recalls that her mother neglected her and believes that she is to blame for her problems. The same case of neglect affects her child because she travels frequently to her native Russia. The child lacks maternal attachment essential for development (Bradley, Hendricks, & Kabell, 2011).
Conclusion
The marriage between Paul and Angelica experiences a problem due to cultural differences, poor communication, and cultural differences and, differing views on financial management and child disciplining (Durband, Britt, & Grable, 2010). The Tarvydas Integrative Decision-Making Model is a participatory approach to marriage and family counseling. Marriage counseling involves a consideration of ethical, legal, and professional. The professional code of ethics is fundamental drivers for professional practice. Knowledge of the ethical principles is not sufficient on its own. The ability to think critically and conform to the ethical requirements in contextual situations is vital. The therapist must administer therapy in line with the ACA, AAMFT, and other professional guidelines. The process must ensure voluntary participation, confidentiality, diversity and, participatory and fair procedures, in the entire process of therapy development and implementation. The goal is to determine a solution that is acceptable to both parties seeking counseling therapy.
References
Bradley, L., Hendricks, B., & Kabell, D. (2011). “Postmortem Confidentiality: An Ethical Issue”. The Family Journal, 1(1): 1-4
Carson, D. (2011). “Case Studies in Couples Therapy: Theory-Based Approaches”. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
Durband, D., Britt, S., & Grable, J. (2010). “Personal and Family Finance in Marriage and Family Therapy Domain”. Journal of Financial Therapy, 1(1).
Malone, W. (2010). “Ethics Made Easy”. West Chester, OH: Malone Counseling and Consulting LLC.
Weld, C. & Eriksen, K. (2006). “The Challenges of Religious Conflicts in Couples Counseling”. The Family Journal, 14(4): 383-391.
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