Career Impact on Marriage and Family

As a field of study, marriage and family therapy aims at training therapists who treat a broad range of clinical problems in the context of the family such as psychological problems, marital challenges, anxiety, depression, relationship problems between children and parents among others (Moyer and Miller, 2013). Marriage and family therapy is centred on a solution, it is also specific and planned with the “end in mind.” Most r esearchers look at the field as operational but sometimes as the treatment of family related issues including but not limited to adult alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, gender roles conflicts to mention but a few. In this paper, empathy as areas of concern is discussed, its relevance and the significance of previous research into therapeutic empathy. In the second section of the paper, current research into and discussion of the findings in the field of family and marriage therapy are examined. The words "therapy" and "counselling" are used interchangeably. 

Therapeutic Empathy 

Empathy in counseling psychology refers to the experience of trying to comprehend the other person's circumstances from their point-of-view. The counselor places his or herself in the shoes of the person they are listening to feel what they are feeling to empathize with the other person. Empathy, in psychology, is an attempt to be break free of individualism and take to heart the other person’s experiences, feelings, desires, and actions. Empathy is equivalent to the German word “ Einfühlung” which has connotations with an aesthetic experience where by the actor, or spectator feels the part they are performing—they are getting involved. At heart, empathy is compassion and self-sacrifice and altruism and charity; it is associated with goodness (Taylor, 2015). Some have suggested that empathy is like a channel connecting one human being to another through which the compassion, self-sacrifice, charity, and altruism flow. 

There exist three modes in which therapeutic empathy can be expressed . First of all, for some empathy is chiefly for establishing empathic understanding. Here therapists try to compassionately demonstrate that they understand the experience of the client, for purposes of setting the context for operational treatment. The second mode is communicative atonement, and its focus is always on an effort to maintain an active moment of client’s telling their experience. Third, person empathy looks at the continued determination to comprehend most of the experiences that customers have gone through, and usually the past and present forms which are in the context of current experiences. These modes have been thought of not to be mutually exclusive, but a matter of emphasis determines the difference (Elliott, Bohart, Watson, & Greenberg, 2011, p. 3)

The Relevance of Empathy in Therapeutic Practice

Treatment outcome

There has been shown to be a correlation between therapeutic empathy and treatment outcome. For example in studies conducted in 1971 by Traux and Michell looked at the positive relationship between almost all Rogerian treatment hypotheses, understanding inclusive as well as a result. In another study done by Orlinsky, Grawe, and Parks in 1994, they found that about 55% of more than 110 studies carried out, had an active connection of empathy about the results. Therefore, empathy accounts for slightly more percentage especially on results of variance compared to an alliance that counsellors consider take as more reliable and vigorous predictor of patient improvements. To add, empathy and cooperation usually account for variations in results other the specific any interventions (DeGeorge, 2008, p. 5-6).

Makes the Client feel understood

Empathy is deliberated to be indispensable to therapy because, for any therapeutic strategy to work, the client has to feel that he or she is understood. To have this accomplished, the therapist has to not only understand what the client is saying in a therapy session but also attempt to comprehend what that very client is not saying and to this end, be able to communicate this understanding. Therapists who exhibit a high level of empathy can help the clients they are treating move past troubling experiences and attain a greater appreciation of both the experience and feelings that surround it. Empathy is not the same as sympathy, which in so many areas means pity, and also, showing compassion is not an inert procedure (Good Therapy, 2015). A good therapist can sense the other person’s (client) emotions the processes of attentiveness and careful listening, but this process calls for a continuous commitment. Since empathy can be emitted in many different ways in therapy, there is no universal way for therapists to prove understanding and acceptance to those they are treating.

Recent Research and its implication

Empathy and Resistance

In their study, Moyer and Miller (2013) investigate the relationship between a therapist being listening or confrontational and its hinge on the impact of therapy. From different studies, they find that authoritarian confrontation has been associated, in clinical trials, with no change in the outcome of the treatment. They point out one study where a single inpatient therapists behavior before an alcoholic client. The study found that the therapist became confrontational, the more the addict drank. They conclude that it is important to avail a client with an accepting therapeutic style which facilitates the relationship and positive change over a confrontational style. 

What this means in my practice is that acceptance and a listening ear are vital to the success of therapeutic sessions. Sometimes what I may encounter may go against my values, but it is important that I remain ethical well knowing that the success or failure of my practice hinges on whether I am listening or confrontational.

Providing information and advice vs. reflective listening 

In a related study, two therapeutic methods were evaluated against each other: one which included providing information (teaching) and giving advice (direct) against reflective listening. In the same client sessions, the therapists shifted from to another in 12-minute intervals, and consumer resistance was measured using a behavioral rating system. Client resistance was found to increase or decrease as the therapy styles changed. When the therapist provided information and advice, strength increased by 70% compared to a reflective listening style. When the therapist listened, the strength dropped back down (Moyer and Miller, 2013).

This is also vital in my practice because on many occasions I may be tempted to lecture the client instead of listening to them. This helps to make me aware that there is a place for teaching and directing which is not the in the client sessions because the success of the therapy may depend on it. 

How to measure therapeutic empathy 

Elliott, Bohart, Watson, & Greenberg (2011) offer four categories in which therapeutic understanding can be measured. They are expressed; empathy, received empathy, empathetic resonance and what they called similarity between counsellors and their client’s perceptions. In any expression of understanding, nonparticipants usually observe therapist’s content diminishes the client’s responses. Still, in received empathy, the client’s perceptions are used to determine the success of a therapeutic session. In the third measurement, empathetic resonance, the therapist self-rates his or her performance, and in the last measure, the therapists usually rate client based on their degree to rate themselves on different parameters. Then later comparing these rating with how clients rated themselves (Elliott, Bohart, Watson, & Greenberg, 2011, p. 3-4). Correlations between cognitive and affective empathetic measures have however been found to be weak and inaccurate this has been attributed to the different tools used to measure empathy.

The measurability of empathy also has a bearing on my practice as a family and marriage therapist. For one, it points to the scientific nature of my practice in a sense that empathy can be measured not just assumed. This means that I can take guided steps in my practice to ensure that I reap the benefits of empathy in client sessions. Also, it shows the role of the client in empathetic measurements. This teaches me to treasure the contribution and role of clients in what seems to be a therapist’s dominated venture. 

Developing Knowledge about Men and their Problems in Families

Redefinition of Men Privileges

In every family that a husband and a wife, men are seen to have many privileges in the family over the rest of the people (Matt, 2014). In fact, because of being in a position to have lead the family, men see that as an advantage over women and other minorities like children. Also, these privileges that men have tended to produce hierarchies, and sometimes men end up abusing their positions because they have the power to do that. Furthermore, when men are denied such privileges, most of them experience mental health issues which include depression, anger, and stress just because they do not possess their privileges. However, most of the mental health related issues happen to men who most times abuse their privilege to harm their women and children.  Therefore, I believe that men privileges in the family are an important area for family counsellors when assessing marriage issues.  

Men and their masculinity 

Also, when dealing with men counselling in family marriages, I think it is better for any counsellor to understand why proving masculinity shows the level of men’s attachment to limiting gender roles to women which result in gender conflict. Research shows that because of some negative features of most claimed privileges that men have, helps in assessing the reasons why most men are passionate about proving their manhood (Matt, 2014). However, immediate problem with the whole thing of proving men’s masculinity is that they have to maintain it for as long as possible which in most cases results into illusions of masculine power. At this point, I would recommend that marriage and family counselling focuses on the cause of the problem especially when handling issues like domestic violence.  

Boys and Men Denial to their Problems

For many psychological types of research that have been carried out, they indicate that marriage and family counsellors find issues while doing their work because men and boys in families deny having problems. In most cases, marriage and family counsellors have found out that boys tend to think that small issues they have always go away by themselves. In fact, research shows that such attitude from men and boys has made counselling challenging some there is always limited disclosure from men (Matt, 2014). Furthermore, research psychologists have found out that men tend to act normal outside when they are troubled by different issues including psychological disturbance which later affect their successful living. Therefore, marriage and family counsellors must campaign for widespread disclosure of men and boy problems which can help them offer their services based on informed decision making 

Contemporary Themes in Marriage and Family Counselling

Mental Health Issues 

Different researchers have confirmed that most of the contemporary issues which are related to mental health have been affecting marriage and family counsellors both personally and professionally. In fact, marriage and family counsellors are always at the forefront while working with men, women, and children who are suffering from mental health related issues and sometimes they are overwhelmed by the nature of issues they find. In other words, some of the marriage and family counsellors find their never-ending and high demands of finding solutions while guiding families very stressful (Jared Dupree, Kruti, Bhakta, & Purva Patel, 2013). Despite the rewarding part of marriage and family counsellors, most of them had been at some time impacted by physical exhaustion, emotional and burnout. Still, marriage and family counsellors usually initiate some support programs by collaborating with different professionals in families by providing essential responsive services to the family members who need their help.

Leadership Role  

In some communities, marriage and family counsellors are seen as a leader and as a result, they find themselves with even bigger responsibilities of making sure that families succeed in a different way. In other words, even if their roles are not in line with the administration, marriage and family counsellors find themselves leading their communities (Jared Dupree, Kruti, Bhakta, & Purva Patel, 2013). Therefore, the challenge they always have apart from counselling and guiding family members, counsellors must at some point learn to be leaders in their communities if they desire to see the change in families. In fact, because of the increase in of issues in households in this modernization period, marriage and family counsellors are seen as solutions to the most pressing problems. As a result, this makes them work hard and be reliable in professionally offering solutions. 

Technology Related Issues 

In this modern era, marriage and family counsellors find themselves in understanding the potential of technology advancement in causing marriage issues so that they can provide solutions when called upon. For instance, with the coming of Smartphone, computers and other related gadgets, there has been a weak interaction between members of different families which has brought many problems that counsellors have to deal with. In fact, the use of innovations like emails and texting of people in the different world, it has created many sub-families within different cultures (Jared Dupree, Kruti, Bhakta, & Purva Patel, 2013). However, the advancement of technology has at the same time helped marriage and family counsellors in information gathering when dealing with family issues. For instance, family members who used to find trouble expressing their issues, they can use technology to communicate especially boys who get abused in some ways.  

Marriage and Family Counsellor Identity Ethics and Function 

Identity 

Marriage and family counsellors are required to understand their own identity, and that is at personal and professional level (Evans and Trotter, 2012). As the world changes, counsellors must be conscious of their personal life issues while they are trying to solve those of others. In other words, acting consciously about the issues that affect marriage and family counsellors, it helps them remain focused especially when they are solving issues of others. In fact, marriage and family counsellors should always focus on solving family problems when they have sorted their own and that when they can best act on the interests of their clients. Also, another concern about marriage and family counselling profession always get some subject of stress and most times burn-out, and they affect each of them differently.  

Ethics 

Despite the changing environment and dynamics in issues that affect people, marriage and family counsellors are always required to follow the guidelines and the same basic principles that guide all professional counsellors (Evans and Trotter, 2012). For example, American Counselling Association provides a code of ethics which always give a clear and complete review of the ethical guidelines for all marriage and family counsellors. In other words, most of these guidelines always cover many aspects which range from issues related to responsibilities, confidentiality, dual relationships, counselling plans to mention but a few. Therefore, following an intense and severe ethical pathway always involve marriage and family counsellors being culturally competent to deal with the issues in today age and maintaining their integrity.   

Functions 

For over the last few years, the purpose of marriage and family counselling practice has changed gradually. For example, marriage and family counsellors must at all times be willing and competent to help and work with some of the incredibly diverse communities when giving their services. In fact, one of the responsibilities which marriage and family counsellor must fulfill helping family members with problems to fit in their communities and have a happier and healthy life (Evans and Trotter, 2012). Therefore, marriage and family counsellors are always the first ones to identify problems of people in societies because of their skills and this requires them to act accordingly. At this point, this confirms that marriage and family counsellors are always at the forefront of knowing the issues that affect families in different communities.   

Finally, marriage and family therapy is centered on results. Empathy is the point of concern is vital to the practice of marriage and family therapy in that if not paid attention to, counselling sessions may fail as research that has been examined above shows. Also, Marriage and family therapy profession in this contemporary world has become dynamically different than it was years back. In fact, most of the current issues like mental health, problem denials provide a complex background need for this profession. At this point, it is clear that most of the services will always be different because of the changing environment. In the end, marriage and family counselling remains essential to the success of families and their communities.

References

AAMFT. (2015). About Marriage and Family Therapists. Retrieved from http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/About_AAMFT/About_Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx

Evans and Trotter, P. S. (2012). The effectiveness of family and relationship therapy.  A Review of the Literature. Melbourne: PACFA.

DeGeorge, J. (2014).  Empathy and the Therapeutic Alliance: Their Relationship to Each Other and Outcome in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Elliott, R., Bohart, A. C., Watson, J. C., & Greenberg, L. S. (2011). Empathy.  Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice & Training ,  48 , 43-49. Retrieved from DOI: 10.1037/a0022187

Good Therapy. (2015, June 8). Empathy. Retrieved from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/empathy

Jared Dupree, w., Kruti, a., Bhakta, & Purva Patel, s. (2013). Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists.  Guidelines for Working With Asian Indian American Couples . Retrieved from DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2012.698213

Matt Englar-Carlson, Marcheta Evans, P., & Thelma Duffey. (2014). A counselor’s guide to working with men.  American Counseling Association . 

Moyers, T. B., & Miller, W. R. (2013). Is low therapist empathy toxic?  Psychology of Addictive Behaviors ,  27 (3), 878-884. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3558610/#S1title

Taylor, S. (2015, September 12). Understanding Empathy | Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201509/understanding-empathy