CouplCWUnderstanding and Intervening in Family Interaction What do we know about adolescent girls' desire and how do we conceptualize it? This is the question raised by Deborah Tolman in her book Dilemnas of Desire (2002) based on in depth interviews with 29 girls from an urban and suburban high school. Tolman argues that young women continue to struggle with the madonna-whore split and that ' developing a strong sense of self and engaging in authentic, meaningful and joyful intimate relationships requires an acknowledgement and acceptance of ones own bodily feelings.' Desire must become a fundemantal part of a young woman's sense of self and a body that acts and is not just acted upon; intimacy shouldn't 'just happen' to a girl. However there is a choice to be made. Do girls 'feel and act on their desire and risk the negative, even puitive, possibly disastrous consequences, or do they deny, discount or distract others from their desire and suffer profound disconnection from themselves? The research is now 10 years old. Is it still the same and what has it meant for those women now in their twenties and their mothers?
Frightened of Research?
The word 'research' can produce anxiety or boredom in many clinicians and a desperate desire to find a different conversation. Yet most of us will agree in principal that research into clinical practice is 'a good thing'. What a relief then, to find psychologist Paul Rohdes blog Qualitative Research in Psychology; Explorations in words, meaning,methods and the politics of evidence.The blog is the work of an informal group of students, researchers and academics primarily from the Department of psychology at the University of Sydney who 'meet fortnightly and blog sporadically'. On opening the blog we see an intense and studious group of people having a party which exactly describes this site. Very serious but lots of fun! Dr Paul Rhodes can be contacted for further information on p.rhodes@sydney.edu.au
A central idea of family therapy is that problematic behaviours are generated in relationship, maintained in relationship and hence their resolution can also be found in relationship. Tracking the 'patterns which connect' symptoms and family patterns of interaction; behaviourally, affectively and cognitively is central to therapy. While this is a compelling idea it is interesting to read research which maps patterns between families which present with a symptom and those which don't. Suman,L. & Nagalakshmi (1995) studied the nature of family interaction in alcoholic and non-alcoholic families. Their results demonstrated clear differences, with alcoholic families 'characterized by poor communication patterns, lack of mutual warmth and support, spouse abuse and poor role functioning, 'as compared to non-alcoholic families who were 'characterized by by free and open communication, mutual warmth and satisfaction and sharing of responsibilities.' Such studies attest to the value of understanding pattern as a means of targeting effective intervention.Understanding and Intervening in Family Interaction
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A study by Gregor Lange and colleagues identified that families with children diagnosed with ADHD have higher levels of stress, lack of support, low parental quality of life, family functioning difficulties, low parental satisfaction and parental psychological health problems (Lange et al., 2005). This suggests that family factors may act as both predisposing and maintaining factors and the importantance of assessing the family and wider system with the understanding that the most effective interventions may be with those in the child’s world rather than the child. The proposed move closer to mandatory medicating children with ADHD increases the likelihood of neglecting the other factors that may potentially be more impactful. In addressing these factors and the common presentation of non-compliant/undesirable behaviours it is important to focus on interventions, other than medications, that address environmental and behavioural factorLange, G., Sherrin, D., et al. (2005). Family factors associated with ADHD and emotional disorders in children. Journal of Family Therapy, 27, 1, 76-9
Interested in reading more about Bradley Lange, the author of this newsletter? Then scroll down.
Bradley is a fully registered psychologist with the Psychiology Board of Australia and member of the Australian Psychological Socity having completed his training with a Master of Clinical Psychology.
Bradley has received training in a number of areas of psychotherapy, with specialised training in the child behavioural and developmental problems. Bradley’s experience, has also been significantly focused on adult psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, substance dependence, psychosis and attachment related problems. Prior to working at Bower Place, Bradley has worked in ; child protection, adult acute mental health, drug and alcohol services, child behaviour therapy, adult therapy and family therapy.
Bradley takes an eclectic approach to psychotherapy with a focus on family systems, attachment issues, interpersonal therapy as well as cognitive and behavioural therapy, with the clients presenting concerns and view on therapy informing treatment direction.
Bradley will be conducting the following workshops in 2012:
2nd March: Incompletely Fractured Couple Relationship
17th August: Depression and the Couple Relationsh
16th Novemeber: Complex Co-Morbid Wider System M
7th December: Child Behaviour Problems: School & Family
The National Health and Research Council have drafted controversial guidelines in relation to children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These include a recommendation that a failure by parents to medicate their children be treated as a child protection concern. This has, understandably, raised significant concern in parents and professionals who view ADHD stimulant medication as a less desirable treatment and one that can potentially be avoided with family based interventions. A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the child’s behaviour and the difficulty parents and others, like teachers, experience in managing those behaviours.
A study by Gregor Lange and colleagues identified that families with children diagnosed with ADHD have higher levels of stress, lack of support, low parental quality of life, family functioning difficulties, low parental satisfaction and parental psychological health problems (Lange et al., 2005). This suggests that family factors may act as both predisposing and maintaining factors and the importantance of assessing the family and wider system with the understanding that the most effective interventions may be with those in the child’s world rather than the child. The proposed move closer to mandatory medicating children with ADHD increases the likelihood of neglecting the other factors that may potentially be more impactful. In addressing these factors and the common presentation of non-compliant/undesirable behaviours it is important to focus on interventions, other than medications, that address environmental and behavioural factors.
Lange, G., Sherrin, D., et al. (2005). Family factors associated with ADHD and emotional disorders in children. Journal of Family Therapy, 27, 1, 76-96.
Interested in reading more about Bradley Lange, the author of this newsletter? Then scroll down.
Bradley is a fully registered psychologist with the Psychiology Board of Australia and member of the Australian Psychological Socity having completed his training with a Master of Clinical Psychology.
Bradley has received training in a number of areas of psychotherapy, with specialised training in the child behavioural and developmental problems. Bradley’s experience, has also been significantly focused on adult psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, substance dependence, psychosis and attachment related problems. Prior to working at Bower Place, Bradley has worked in ; child protection, adult acute mental health, drug and alcohol services, child behaviour therapy, adult therapy and family therap
Bradley takes an eclectic approach to psychotherapy with a focus on family systems, attachment issues, interpersonal therapy as well as cognitive and behavioural therapy, with the clients presenting concerns and view on therapy informing treatment direction.
