Why Am I the Only One You're Talking to, Talk to Them, They Haven't Said a Word?: Pitfalls and Challenges of Having the Child in the Focus of Family Therapy. Issue 2 (3rd February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Helimäki, Mira; Laitila, Aarno; Kumpulainen, Kirsti
• Is Part Of: American journal of family therapy. Volume 50:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2022-02-03
• Subjects: Family therapy -- conduct disorder -- interaction -- problem-talk; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Family Therapy; Marital Therapy; Family; Counseling; 616.8915605
• DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2020.1870582
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-6187

Abstract

Abstract: Children with conduct disorders are at risk of being positioned in the family therapy as 'the problem'. This study describes how the difficulties were talked about and how the child coped in this situation. The results showed: the parents produced symptom-oriented problem talk about the child's behavior, rendering systemic reformulation of the problem challenging. The negative interaction made the climate unsafe and impaired consideration of the child's behavior as a meaningful way for the child to become seen and heard. This study enriches understanding of the therapeutic challenge therapists face with high-risk families from the very beginning of the treatment.