COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the practice of marital and family therapy with specific emphasis in the clinical assessment of family systems. Assessment information will be used for the development and implementation of the therapeutic treatment plan. OBJECTIVES Upon completion the student will: 1. be able to articulate a refined understand of the family as an integrative system. This will include such issues as family structure and process, personality and role development, triangulation, myths, secrets, power and change. 2. have developed a knowledge of aspects of the marital system, including boundaries, power, intimacy and confidentiality and how these issues can be used to establish treatment goals, improve communication and enrich the marital relationship at each stage of therapy. 3. be able to place a given person, marriage or family in a Family Life Cycle framework. The entire life cycle, from the couple stage through child rearing, adolescence and post-parental years will be studied. 4. grapple with clinical issues in assessing patterns of family interaction. 5. learn to plan and implement MFT by using assessment in formulating treatment goals and interviewing in the MFT system to achieve healthier MF functioning. 6. be further exposed to the profession of MFT including relevant issues for the Christian MFT. 7. develop skill in the administration and interpretation of the PREPARE/ENRICH premarital and marital materials. This includes the option of certification in MFT II- 2 PREPARE/ENRICH inventories from Life Innovations Inc