Marriage and Family Therapy: State of California
Marriage and Family Therapy: State of California
In California, the marriage and family therapist main role is to help individual experiencing interpersonal relationships. The marriage and family therapists receive training on how to assess, diagnose and treat individual, couples and families with problems. Some of the problems include premarital, counseling, child counseling and individuals dealing with concerns such as divorce or separation. Overall, the main role of a marriage and family therapist in California is to help individuals make vital life adjustments (American Association for Marriage and Family therapy, 2012). I have had a strong desire to engage in marriage and family therapy so as to make a difference in people lives.PTSD is a condition that is so overwhelming to any individual. War veterans are most prone to PTSD as they relieve the experiences in war. PSTD can temporarily and sometimes permanently change a person and his relationship with those around him. In reality and individual with PTSD have the body’s normal psychological defenses against stress overwhelmed. With stress an individual become irritable, withdraws from the society and becomes unbearable to family members not accustomed to the new habit. War veterans witness unpleasant experiences of war and when they return they try to push the memory back and live a normal life. This is, however, not easy, and the need for therapy is emphasized.
PTSD And Family Therapy
PTSD can negatively affect relations in a family. This is especially if one of the spouse(s) is a war veterans and suffering from PTSD. PTSD can strain relationships with relatives, children and friends. The need for a marriage and family therapist when dealing with individuals with PTSD is thus essential. As a marriage and family therapist I will help the family members learn how to deal with their relative or spouse. It is vital that the family members accept the changes that the veterans show. Inclusion of spouses and families for treatment of PTSD helps the families deal with the condition of the patients.
My view of becoming a marriage and family therapist has not changed. I still desire to be a source of hope and strength for patients and his family. However, I have learned that marriage and family therapy will not be solely adequate in helping the patient deal with PTSD. Family therapy will help him deal with his social well being and family members. However, I realize that more than family therapy is needed to bring out the patients inborn competence (American Association for Marriage and Family therapy, 2012). Other modes of therapy such as individual therapy are vital. Individual therapy is exclusive and deals only with the patients. The therapist seeks to treat the client’s symptoms and help them deal with the traumatic experience. The therapist can help the client deal with the ordeal by reliving it. This enables them to let go off the anxiety associated with the traumatizing experience.
A review of the jurisdiction of marriage and family therapists in California reveals that I should broaden my scope of expertise. I should change my focus from assisting the individual with post traumatic stress disorder to assisting the families to maintain healthier relationships. Most Californian families experience difficulty and stress when they have a veteran with PTSD. Most families are unfamiliar of how to relate with them as their emotions are unpredictable (American Association for Marriage and Family therapy, 2012). Without therapy, the family and friends of the individual with PTSD might avoid him due to lack of knowledge on how to relate. As the patient attempts to overcome the PTSD, my services as a marriage and family therapist will be essential to involve the family members.
I also realize that I have to broaden my focus to focus beyond individuals with post traumatic stress disorder. My desire in general is to assist families with through crisis and difficult times so as to help them improve on their relationships. If I emphasize on individual with PTSD, I will not manage to assist other patients with marriage and family conflicts. The state laws of California also stipulate that anyone who wishes to participate in marriage and family therapy must be licensed by the California board of behavioral sciences (Madsen. 2012). Licensure is only possible after I attain various academic and professional qualifications. For instance, the state of California requires that individuals have a doctor’s or a master’s degree before they are considered for licensure. Though I desire to engage in marriage and family therapy, I should first strive to get a license so as to begin my practices.
Aspects of Change
As I embark on my journey as a marriage and family therapist I desire to make a difference in the lives of families in California. I am, however, concerned over the patients and families level of commitment. I desire to embark on a therapy session from start to the end and see positive change on the patient. I expect to face the challenge of patient commitment. Most families seek therapy when they have almost lost all hope of normalcy. The first few days may prove difficult and hence appear unsuccessful, but there is bound to be change with continuous therapy. I hope to instill in the patients the need for continuity of the therapy session until there is improvement.In conclusion, I have a passion to make a difference in my community. As a marriage and family therapist I expect to participate in bringing positive change to families in California. Families face many challenges e.g. dealing with family members with post traumatic stress after a traumatic even such as war. I desire to help to help these families achieve some degree of normalcy in their lives. My commitment and skills such as compassion, empathy, sincerity, openness and academic and professional qualification prepare me to render my services in the state of California.
Reference
American Association for Marriage and Family therapy, (2012). Retrieved fromhttp://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/about_aamft/Qualifications.aspx
Madsen. K. (2012). Statutes and regulations relating to the practice of professional clinical counseling marriage and family therapy. Retrieved from http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lawsregs.pdff
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