Integrative Systemic Therapy in Practice: A Clinician's Handbook

Description

This essential handbook provides clinicians with the tools to introduce Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) into their practice working with individuals, couples, and families. Describing the "how to" and "how to decide what to do" aspects of IST, this book outlines a practical, problem-solving approach that considers client strengths and and cultural contexts in the process of integrating interventions from various therapy models and empirically supported treatments. Chapters demonstrate how problem-solving tasks can be accomplished using the IST blueprint for therapy and include scenarios that will challenge the reader to think through the specific steps for IST, encouraging them to consider the therapeutic alliance and the use of self in therapy. For supervisors, trainers, and clinicians familiar with IST, this book will enrich and deepen their understanding of it. The book is also relevant for clinicians and supervisors of all types of therapy who seek to become more integrative and systemic in their work. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Figures Acknowledgments Foreword Reference Preface Contributors Chapter 1: Integrative Systemic Therapy Introduction Empirically Informing IST Theoretical Framework: Integrative and Systemic The Pillars of IST The Essence of IST The Blueprint The Hypothesizing Metaframeworks The Planning Metaframeworks The Contexts of Therapy Guidelines for Intervention: What to do When? Conversing and Reading Feedback Therapist Development Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 2: Convening a Client System and Defining a Problem: The First Phone Call Objective Introduction Method Assessing Risk and Level of Care Deciding Who to Invite to the Initial Session Describing the IST Approach Specific Requests for Therapy Requests for Individual Adult Therapy Requests for Couple Therapy Requests for Family Therapy Requests for Child Therapy in Single-Parent and Two-Parent Families Requests for Child or Family Therapy with Binuclear Families (Divorced, Remarried) Requests for Mandated Therapy for a Child Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 3: Convening a Client System and Defining a Problem: The First Session Objective Introduction Method Universal Aspects of the Initial Session Assessing Risk and Level of Care Required IST-Specific Aspects of the Initial Session Building an Alliance Cultural Humility, Cultural Competence and the Therapeutic Alliance Describing IST as a Problem-Solving Process Defining the Problem Locating a Problem in a Problem Sequence Obtaining Information About the Members and the Context of the Client System Individuals, Couples, and Families in the Direct Client System Individuals Couples Families Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 4: Strategies for Locating a Problem in a Problem Sequence Objective Introduction Identifying Problem Sequences A Classification Scheme for Sequences Method Holding a Systemic Frame Locating a Problem in a Problem Sequence Protecting Alliances Managing Multiple Points of View Vagueness Two or More Stories Offered Attitudinal Tools for Identifying a Problem Sequence Curiosity Creativity Courage The Therapeutic Conversation Operational Tools Hypothesizing Conversing Feedback Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Case Example Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 5: Identifying a Solution Sequence Objective Introduction Method Experiments Strategies Enactments Cultural Considerations Client-Therapist Differences Client-Therapist Similarities Therapeutic Alliance Case Example Conclusion Exercise Identifying a solution sequence: Case illustration and questions to consider References Chapter 6: Implementing a Solution Sequence Objective Introduction Method Readiness Refinement Commitment Follow up Hypothesizing and Planning Culture Therapeutic Alliance Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 7: Identifying Constraints Objective Introduction Method Constraint Questions Practicing Constraint Questions Proposing Hypotheses about Constraints The Nature of Constraints Mind Organization Development Culture Gender Gender Identity Gender Roles Gender and Relational Equity Biology Illness and Injury Neurobiological Constraints Additional Biological Issues Spirituality Managing Multiple Constraints Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 8: Integrating Interventions to Address Constraints Objective Introduction Method Modifying Who is in the Direct Client System Addressing Constraints The Planning Metaframeworks Action Planning Metaframework Meaning/Emotion Planning Metaframework Biobehavioral Planning Metaframework Family of Origin Planning Metaframework Internal Representation Planning Metaframework Self Planning Metaframework Integrating Interventions to Address Constraints Addressing Constraints of Mind Addressing Organizational Constraints Addressing Developmental Constraints Addressing Constraints Related to Culture Case Example of Addressing a Culture-related Constraint Addressing Constraints Related to Gender Addressing Biological Constraints Addressing Constraints Related to Spirituality Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 9: Evaluating Treatment Progress and Modifying Plans Objective Introduction The Time it Takes to See Progress Method Tracking Progress Evaluation Using Informal Measures of Progress A Decision Tree for Progress Evaluation Evaluating the Solution Sequence Evaluating the Success of an Attempt to Lift a Constraint Managing Two or More Constraints Intractable Constraints Unresolvable Relationship Issues Trauma Biology Conducting Therapy Over Time Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 10: The Decision to End Therapy Objective Introduction Method Maintaining a Solution Sequence(s) and Soliciting Feedback on Overall Progress The Ways That Therapy Ends Reflecting on the Therapy Discussion of What Would Signal a Need to Return to Therapy Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Conclusion Exercises References Chapter 11: Pathways within Integrative Systemic Therapy Objective Introduction Client Situations Requiring Modification of Essence Steps Risk Issues Mandated Therapy Contexts of Therapy That Impact IST Practice Workplace Requirements and Constraints Case Management and Support Services Inpatient Psychiatric and Residential Programs Therapist Considerations Therapist Style and Preferences Person of the Therapist Conclusion Exercises References Appendix A: IST Tables of Strategies and Intervention Resources Action Planning Metaframework Meaning/Emotion Planning Metaframework Complex Meaning/Emotion Planning Metaframework Biobehavioral Planning Metaframework Family of Origin Planning Metaframework Internal Representation Planning Metaframework Self Planning Metaframework Notes References Appendix B: Integrative Systemic Therapy Guidelines for Practice Index