Cognitive-behavioral family therapy with four adults

Abstract

The case of a family of four members is presented. Starting from a stroke suffered by the mother three years ago, there was a change of roles and the emergence of family conflicts. After assessment, the family agreed that the problems were not just something of the mother, but involved a dysfunctional family dynamics. The therapy was applied over 24 sessions plus some parallel individual brief contacts, and included development of empathy, skills training in communication, negotiation and problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and enhancement of positive affect and pleasurable activities. According to the family and therapists, the proposed objectives were largely achieved, and this was endorsed by several questionnaires. The improvements were maintained at 10-months follow-up. Good results could be explained by the large family motivation for change, good therapeutic relationship and the application of empirically supported techniques