EP95 Workshop 26 - The Use of Themes and Belief Systems in Therapy - Peggy Papp, ACSW

Description:

This workshop focuses on identifying core beliefs and themes in couples and families that are constraining change. Creative use of the interview and interventions, including symbols, metaphors, language, fantasies and rituals to point a direction for change will be demonstrated.

Educational Objectives:

1. To describe three ways of developing a theme.
2. To describe two ways of challenging an entrenched belief system. 

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

• Introduction & Theme of Beliefs

  • Focus on how individual beliefs shape problems, relationships, and therapy.

  • Example themes: relationship traps, achievement expectations, illness and attention.

  • Themes link to family patterns and are often hidden or implicit.

• Developing Themes

  • Listen for metaphorical language and observe family interactions.

  • Use slogans to clearly summarize themes (e.g., "balancing scales of justice," "most sick is most loved").

  • Explore themes across generations using tools like Genograms.

• Case Example: Drinking Problem

  • Couple struggles with husband's drinking and wife's rescuing behaviors.

  • Identify family myths reinforcing behaviors (e.g., “not worth dying for”).

  • Therapy challenges beliefs, leading wife to self-care, reducing husband's dependency.

• Relapse & Recovery

  • Husband initially relapses; wife learns to stop rescuing.

  • Addressing husband's relationship with his mother resolves deeper issues.

  • Couple achieves lasting improvement, ending therapy successfully.

• Practical Therapy Considerations

  • Importance of focusing therapy on central themes, rather than scattered issues.

  • Addressing medication, billing, and use of consultation teams.

• Working with Addiction

  • Emphasis on systemic approach, integrating individual with family context.

  • Tailored treatment depending on stage and nature of addiction.

• Family Dynamics & Individual Behavior

  • Understanding family roles helps resolve persistent individual problems.

  • Example: resolving mother-son relationship significantly reduces drinking.

• Engaging Clients & Equal Support

  • Balancing attention equally in couple therapy ensures both partners feel understood.

  • Strategies include addressing shared history and personal grievances.

• Themes, Life Scripts, and Gender Roles

  • Gender stereotypes (women as caretakers, men as irresponsible) reinforced by family systems.

  • Identifying and challenging these scripts promotes empowerment and change.

• Handling Difficult Cases & Cultural Nuances

  • Therapists must be mindful of resistance, abusive dynamics, and missed cues.

  • Importance of cultural awareness, including language and behavior patterns.

• Brief Therapy & Interventions

  • Most effective therapy often short-term (under 12 sessions).

  • Paradoxical interventions (using humor, exaggeration) can effectively disrupt unhelpful patterns