Learning from within: Therapists' actions in daily clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Family therapists routinely integrate various theories and techniques.
• Understanding the resources utilized in clinical practice is essential for professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on the theoretical and technical resources employed by family therapists in their daily practice.
• To explore the process by which therapists select and apply these resources.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative action research and social constructionism were used to guide the inquiry.
• Couple and family therapy sessions were conducted by two therapists.
• Subsequent dialogues with therapists focused on their theoretical and technical inspirations.

Main Results:

• Four categories of therapeutic actions were identified: exploratory, construction of relational visions, construction of communication, and family orientation.
• Therapists utilized numerous theoretical and technical resources.
• Resource selection was driven by the interactive demands of the session and therapists' embodied responses.

Conclusions:

• Epistemological coherence in family therapy is an emergent property developed through reflection on practice, not a predetermined guide.
• This study offers a reflexive process to enhance clinical practice and training in couple and family therapy.