Module Three Application Assignment:
Psychodynamic Theory and Family Counseling
Overview
Think about the potential differences between counseling couples and families and counseling individuals.
What knowledge might you glean from a couple or family in counseling that you cannot garner from working
with an individual? What types of interventions or approaches can you institute with a couple or family in
counseling that you cannot with an individual?
This week, you will learn about the family as a system. Understanding the systems process in a family is
fundamental to the counseling process. You will evaluate the use of psychodynamic theory and the associated
techniques.
In this assignment, you will discuss the process of psychodynamic family counseling and Bowen’s
transgenerational approach. You will describe the common techniques used by psychodynamic theorists and
provide support for their use in marriage, couple, and family counseling. You should also review all
supplemental materials, and use the rubrics as guides to help you complete the assignment. This assignment
will count toward your final grade and is due by Day 7, and is worth 100 points.
Directions
Review this week’s Learning Resources and think about the different types of psychodynamic family
counseling. Also think about the techniques used by psychodynamic theorists. Consider the learning
resources and respond to the following:
• Psychodynamic approaches have been criticized for having a strong historical focus, the
concern being families may focus on their history rather than present issues and
problems. What are the advantages and disadvantages of only focusing on an historical
approach?
• How would Murray Bowen or Nathan Ackerman respond to this criticism?
• Make a strong case for the value of genograms in therapeutic work.
• Reflect on your own transgenerational families and provide a reflection about how the concepts
of psychodynamic theory fit for your family of origin.
