Mental health promotion and co-evolution appreciation of familiar history: Case study

Abstract

Introduction

The developments of familiar therapy allows a systemic (collaborative) approach centered in what functions best in the system, integrating action plans which presupposes a family appreciation concept as a transformer system.

Objectives/aims

Presentation of a family clinical case (X family) in which one of the members is diagnosed with “elective mutism”, this being labelled as a “a family problem” which led to familiar therapy.

Methods

In the therapeutic process we use a number of resources centered in family strengths as strategies directed to the solution and system change. We incorporate an innovating strategy, which we call “differentiated spectularity”, trying to make something different based on therapy concepts centered on solutions. The presentation of exceptions and the use of scales allowed us to monitor the change process.

Results

The strategy materialization, where family members in their family environment saw the film of their latest session in a favourable context for the enlargement of their own vision as a family, allowed change expansion amplifying its complexity. The family members perceive themselves as having a moderate cohesion level, increasing the levels of adaptability, which places the X family in a “balanced” class. The family member with a diagnosis of elective mutism, after six months of family therapy, showed changes in withdrawal, anxiety and shyness behaviour.

Conclusions

Sharing family members different versions allows us to tell the story over and over again. The questioning emerging from the pro-active mirror effect is the core element of the change registered with incidence in the emotional and behaviour domains.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.