Have you prepared these very important questions from Unit 14 for IGNOU MSCCFT MCFT003 Exam? Don't miss this chance to score good marks - get started!

Unit 14 Family Interviewing

1. What is the major influence of post-modern ideas on family therapy?

The major influence of post-modern ideas on family therapy is that there is no one truth, there are multi-versions, therefore all viewpoints are valid.

2. What is the impact of new information on a family system?

New information creates 'a difference that makes a difference', and thus brings about change.

3. Give two advantages of using circular questions rather than linear questions.

Two advantages of using circular questions rather than linear questions are that they free the family from blaming themselves and others, and that they create more options for change.

4. Name the three main types of circular questions and give an example of each.

The three main types of circular questions are:

• Problem definition questions
• Sequence of interaction questions
• Classification or comparison questions

5. What do you understand by family interviewing? How is this different from individual interviewing?

Family interviewing involves asking questions about the family system to reveal patterns of family interaction and systemic qualities, which makes the family aware of their manner of interactions. This creates a context for change. It is different from individual interviewing, which focuses on an individual's experiences and perspectives in isolation. Family interviewing aims to understand the family as a whole, while individual interviewing focuses on the individual. Family interviewing aims to generate new information and create shifts in the family dynamic through circular questioning, while individual interviews focus on the individual's perspective and experience.

6. What are the necessary preparations for a family interview session?

Necessary preparations for a family interview session include:

• Setting clear goals: These will guide the session, focusing on gathering new information from family members and creating opportunities for change in the family system.
• Preparing the room: Creating a comfortable space that is conducive to open dialogue and that is suitable for the number of members involved.
• Planning session time: Allocating enough time for the session while considering the needs of each family member, as well as ensuring there is time for reflection and planning in between sessions.

7. Explain different types of methods of interviewing.

Different types of interviewing methods include:

• Linear questions: These are focused on a specific point of view and do not create new information or change. Linear questions, as a result, keep families 'stuck'.
• Circular questions: These questions explore the connections between family members, their viewpoints and the way they relate to one another. These can involve exploring differences in how family members define the problem, their interactions, and their beliefs and values. Circular questions are aimed at identifying family interaction patterns. Circular questions help families gain new perspectives and insights into their patterns of interaction. They encourage the family to think systemically rather than linearly.
• Neutrality: The therapist should maintain an emotional distance from all family members, to avoid bias and support all voices present in the room.

8. Describe the important points one should consider while planning for an end-of-session message.

Important points to consider while planning for an end-of-session message include:

• Providing feedback: The therapist summarises key points from the session, providing a 'snapshot' of new information the family has generated in the session.
• Highlighting change: Pointing out any new patterns or perspectives that emerged during the session, and positively connoting them.
• Encouraging further reflection: Asking the family questions to promote reflection and to keep the new information active. For example, 'Did this session connect you to some possible ways to address your problems?', 'What surprised you the most?', 'What surprised you the least?'.
• Planning next steps: Suggesting tasks or activities for the family to work on before the next session, or agreeing on a follow-up plan.
• Ensure confidentiality: Making a clear plan with the family as to how, when and by whom, information will be shared with family members who were not present at the session, where necessary.
• Summarising and providing closure: The therapist should check in with all present that they have had a satisfactory experience in the session.

Important Points

• The primary intervention in family therapy are the questions that the therapist poses to the family.
• The therapist's neutrality helps to maintain the same emotional closeness or distance from all members of the family.
• A hypothesis should be useful, systemic, related to the family's concerns and different from the family's existing hypothesis.
• The circular interview is based on feedback from the family in response to information that is. elicited in the session.
• Different viewpoints are brought into the dyadic conversation between therapist and client by using circular questions.
• Therapist must give priority to listening to the client and listening for all the client's external and internal 'voices' that the client has relationship with.
• The end message from the therapist should always include an appreciation and acknowledgement of the family's efforts to build bridges and find solutions. 
• Homework tasks may be individual, reciprocal, or shared and can be conversation tasks or activity tasks.
• It is not okay for the therapist to tell the parents what the adolescent has confided in an individual session.
• There is a need to make a special effort to make children feel comfortable in a session.
• A family member who misses a session should be informed of what transpired, by a member agreed upon by discussion in the session.