• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Family Therapy and the Family of Therapies

Module description

Family therapy exists within a context in which other therapies are being practised. At the same time there is an increasing convergence between the therapies. This entails similarities of approach around the therapeutic alliance, formulation and self-reflexivity. This module will provide an introduction to a range of therapies as they are currently practiced within the public and private sectors including psychodynamic therapy, CBT, body and creative therapies. It will then explore the range of distinct approaches and ideas within family therapy while relating them to the wider psychotherapeutic world. One of the key concepts that spans all psychotherapies is ‘the therapeutic use of self’ and the meaning of ‘self’ in relation to psychotherapy. This is a central concept in this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to enable you to:

• Develop an understanding of a range of therapies practised in public and private contexts;
• Develop an ability to compare and contrast these differing models while assessing which are most useful for which presentations and families;
• Understand how core common processes and ideas cross the differing therapies;
• Develop a deeper understanding about systemic theories which provide the unique features of this form of therapy;
• Understand how culture, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation are understood and respected within each therapy.
• Help you develop an understanding about your use of self in the therapy you do

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Summarise the key features of other therapies
• 2. Compare and contrast different psychotherapies especially in relation to systemic therapy
• 3. Critically evaluate some common features of various therapies including the use of self
• 4. Present unique theoretical ideas from within the systemic tradition

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Understand, critically evaluate and apply theoretical contributions
• 6. Illustrate how different therapies address diversity and apply these in a relevant way to clinical work

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Select and organise material to produce a coherent written argument
• 8. Monitor your own progress
• 9. Link theory to personal and professional experience

Syllabus plan

The module will run over term 2 of the first year. It will introduce you to a range of therapeutic modalities with the intention of broadening your knowledge and ability to work alongside other clinicians. It will deepen your understanding of the commonalities across therapies but also help you to recognise the variety of systemic therapeutic ideas that inform family therapy practice.

Indicative topics:

• Formulation across therapies
• Therapeutic alliance across therapies
• Integrative practice across therapies
• The therapeutic use of self across a range of psychotherapies
• Creative therapies, CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Two assessments are required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be the same as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within four weeks from the date that feedback was provided.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and as a consequence you will be failed in the programme and your registration as a student of the University will be terminated.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Barlow, D (2001) Clinical handbook of psychological disorders. New York; Guildford.
• Keeney, B. (1983) The aesthetics of change. New York: Guildford.
• Lebow, J. (2013) Couple and family therapy: an integrative map of the territory. Washington DC; American Psychological association.
• Sprenkle, D.; Davis, S. and Lebow, J. (2009) Common factors in couple and family therapy. New York: Guilford.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6019 (all resources will be made available on ELE, including additional material covered in the tutorials, the required readings, information about assessment and additional material (e.g., videos))

Key words search

Family therapy, evidence-based practice, manuals