For this paper, you again draw on the “Cortez Family” case history and read Olson’s “Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems”.
Write a description of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems and how it serves as a framework to assess family systems.
- Apply this framework in assessing the Cortez family.
- Use the three dimensions (cohesion, flexibility, and communication) of this model to assess and analyze.
- Describe how assessing these dimensions assists the social worker in treatment planning.
Always write in third person and never in first person
SOURCES/REFERENCES TO USE FOR THIS PAPER ARE LISTED BELOW
***(DO NOT USE ANY OTHER OUTSOURCE OTHER THAN WHAT IS LISTED BELOW)***
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 144–167.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2013). Sessions case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. “The Cortez Family” (pp. 23–25)
Circumplex Model
Various models are applicable to understand family dynamics and issues that emerge among various members. Using such models help to define the most effective intervention to help members facing various challenges and with different psychological outcomes. One such model is the Circumplex Model (Olson, 2000), which helps understand the level of cohesion of a family system to create an effective treatment plan. The model is useful when dealing with issues affecting the family unit, especially with a terminal illness. While therapists can use any other model, the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems provides a more effective framework for assessing family systems, such as the Cortez family, using cohesion, flexibility, and communication to create effective interventions.
The Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems is an effective framework for understanding and providing therapy to families. Cohesion, flexibility, and communication are the three dimensions that the model focus on when dealing with issues affecting the family system (Olson, 2000). Olson developed the model for effective treatment planning and clinical assessment when dealing with marital and family issues. The model aims at promoting flexibility and providing a balance among members of a family to achieve cohesion and improve communication.
A social worker working with the Cortez family could effectively use the model for positive outcomes. Members of the family, especially Paula Cortez, suffer in different ways. Besides having health issues, she lacks effective family connections. The family lacks cohesion as every member appears to do their things. Paula is seen as being disconnected from her family. From the theoretical perspective, the family needs to improve cohesion to create closeness since every member appears distant (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2013). Balanced families work together to deal with life challenges since they can communicate better even during a crisis (Olson, 2000). The other aspect of the model that would benefit the family is flexibility, as it would help members like Paula learn how to cope with changes. From the case study, Paula tends to be rigid and does not have control over what happens in her family back in Colombia or her current family in New York. Paula is overwhelmed with her current status, being pregnant, and with numerous medical problems. Her father remarried, and she does not appear to have a close connection with the family. The family appears to experience chaotic relationships, and although Miguel would provide some support, it was insufficient for the pregnant and sick Paula. The Circumplex model creates an assessment of how the family reacts to change, aiming at improving flexibility. Improving flexibility would help Paula and her family work around the changes in their lives and create some balance. Communication would reinforce cohesion and flexibility by enabling the members to communicate and find some compromises.
Assessing the dimensions would assists the social worker in treatment planning by creating a suitable plan for the family. The model would help to establish how cohesion, flexibility, and communication are lacking in the family to create a path towards developing them. They would also help the social worker collaborate with family members to establish goals by recognizing gaps within the family. In the Cortez family, numerous limitations exist in their cohesion, flexibility, and communication that the model can help by creating an effective treatment plan. Learning about the model would also make social workers more effective in dealing with families.
References
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 144–167.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2013). Sessions case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. “The Cortez Family” (pp. 23–25)
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