Week 1: Family Theories

Understanding family systems and the complex interactions among the members is extremely valuable to a clinical social worker. Throughout clinical practice, the social worker works with families in some capacity. Family theories help guide the social worker in practice. Many family theories exist from which to choose, and most of them complement one another. This week, you are introduced to major contributors to the field of family theory. You will evaluate family theories, and you will apply concepts and models to social work practice.

Note: In this course, students in your peer group will create videos and/or PowerPoint presentations, and you will be asked to review them. The goal is to make these materials accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or language of origin. If you are unable to access these materials, it is your responsibility to request appropriate accommodations from the Office of Disability Services at your University within the first week of the course start date.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Apply family theory concepts/models to social work practice

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Walden University. (n.d.). MSW interactive home page [Multimedia]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2013). Sessions case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.

“The Petrakis Family” (pp. 20–22)

Banmen, J. (2002). The Satir model: Yesterday and today. Contemporary Family Therapy, 24(1), 7–22.

Brown, J. (1999). Bowen family systems theory and practice: Illustration and critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 20(2), 94–103. Retrieved from http://www.thefsi.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bowen-Family-Systems-Theory-and-Practice_Illustration-and-Critique.pdf

Vetere, A. (2001). Structural family therapy. Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 6(3), 133–139.

Bowen Center for the Study of the Family: Georgetown Family Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thebowencenter.org

Document: Group Wiki Project Guidelines (PDF)

Document: Wiki Instructions (PDF)

Required Media

Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013e). Petrakis (Episode 6) [Video file]. In Sessions. Baltimore, MD: Producer. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.

 Assignment 1

Describe your experience in working with groups and families, whether as a participant, leader, and/or observer (e.g., agency committee, interdisciplinary team, book club, church group).

Describe what you are hoping to gain from this course.

If you are comfortable doing so, relate a fun fact about yourself, such as hobbies, personal interests, or experiences.