Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Family and Couple Therapy
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
Marina Santamaria Garcia
msantamaria@uic.es
Introduction
The course Couple and Family Therapy aims to introduce students to the understanding of families and couples as complex relational systems, constantly shaped by interaction and change. Throughout the course, students will explore the theoretical and practical foundations of the main schools of systemic family therapy, with a focus on the essential elements that define the therapeutic process and the role of the therapist in each approach.
Beyond providing a global overview of models, the course emphasizes the development of a critical and reflective perspective towards different paradigms and techniques, as well as the ability to identify resources and strengths within families themselves. The role of the psychologist will also be addressed in both clinical and non-clinical contexts, underlining the relevance of systemic thinking when working with diverse issues.
Ultimately, the course seeks to equip students with the ability to integrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills in their work with couples and families, fostering an open, critical, and respectful attitude that allows interventions to be adapted to the specific needs of each family system.
Pre-course requirements
Objectives
The main objective of the course is to introduce students to the knowledge and understanding of families and couples as living, interdependent systems, with their own dynamics and in constant transformation. The course aims to provide a solid foundation on the main models and schools of systemic family therapy, while fostering the ability to identify the resources and strengths of each family system within its context.
In this sense, the course seeks not only to transmit theoretical and technical knowledge, but also to encourage a reflective, critical, and open attitude towards different paradigms, as well as a respectful and ethical perspective on the therapist’s role. Ultimately, the objective is for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic work with families and couples, enabling them to integrate theory and practice across diverse professional contexts.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN02 - At the end of the Degree, the student will be able to recall principles, procedures, theoretical models, functions, characteristics, advantages and limitations of psychological intervention or schools of psychology, the structures and processes involved in basic psychological functions and the nature of individual differences.
- CP06 - At the end of the Degree, the student will be able to develop psychological intervention strategies based on the context or service, taking into account the knowledge, skills, defence of arguments, problem solving and self-evaluation of psychology.
- HB05 - At the end of the Degree the student will be able to apply theoretical knowledge of psychology to professional practice with simulation of real cases.
- HB07 - At the end of the Degree the student will be able to prepare actions or psychological interventions based on effective communication and a good relationship of help and support.
- HB09 - At the end of the Degree the student will be able to experience the professional reality of a psychologist in a specialised field, through simulated situations and in specific practice centres.
- HB13 - At the end of the Degree the student will be able to analyse the psychological and social demands and needs of people, groups and organisations in different contexts.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Establish a solid foundation at the theoretical level of the concepts of the systemic relational model.
- Relate the basic concepts with situations of the clinical practice itself.
- Provide specific knowledge, the main techniques and procedures used in family, couple and individual intervention.
- Establish a solid foundation on relational diagnostics
- Understand psychopathology from different theoretical frameworks.
- Acquire tools for relational diagnosis.
- Get in touch with clinical work.
- Participate in the reflection and decision on the appropriate clinical interventions for each case.
- Recognize personal qualities and limitations in the role of psychotherapist.
- Reflect on the relationship between the position of the therapist in one's own family and his professional role under the concept of isomorphism.
Syllabus
Block 1. Introduction to the Systemic Model
- Origins and evolution of family therapy.
- Epistemological foundations of the systemic model.
- Basic concepts: system, circularity, communication and change.
Block 2. Assessment and Understanding of the Family System
- The genogram as an assessment tool.
- The individual, couple and family life cycle.
- Relational diagnosis.
- Conjugal and parental functioning.
Block 3. Main Models of Family Therapy
- The Palo Alto MRI Model.
- Problem-Solving Brief Therapy.
- Strategic Therapy.
- Structural Family Therapy.
- The Milan School.
- Main concepts and intervention techniques of each model.
Block 4. Systemic Individual Therapy
- The individual and context in the process of individuation.
- Key elements for therapeutic intervention.
Block 5. Relational Bases of Psychopathology
- Relational understanding of the symptom.
- Influence of family dynamics on the development and maintenance of psychopathology.
- Contributions of family therapy to the conceptualisation of the main psychological disorders.
Block 6. The Therapeutic Process in Family Therapy
- The first interview.
- Context, referral and demand.
- Building the therapeutic alliance.
- Hypothesis formulation and planning of systemic intervention.
- Intervention in situations of separation, divorce and high-conflict family dynamics —Parental Alienation Syndrome, PAS—.
Block 7. Couples Therapy
- Principles of systemic intervention with couples.
- Assessment of conjugal dynamics.
- Intervention strategies in couples therapy.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
(CM) Theoretical classes
(CP) Practical classes with direct visualization of cases, through the mirror
(EC) Case study with indirect review of sessions carried out by the teacher and visualization of clinical proposals through films
(TRC) Role-play techniques
(LH) Laboratory of simulations and
clinical skills.
(TA) Autonomous Work
(LC) Critical reading and bibliographic review.
(PRE) Preparation and performance of
assessable activities. Elaboration of
summaries of the theoretical parts and the
sessions of practical cases
(TG) Group work:
Preparation of cases and simulations
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First Assessment Period
Final Written Exam (80%)
The exam will include open-ended questions and questions involving practical application.
Students must pass the exam in order to pass the course.
Practical / Experiential Exam (20%)
Each group will be assigned a detailed clinical case, including the family structure and the main family dynamic.
A first family therapy session will be simulated. All group members will take on the role of therapist on a rotating basis.
Students will be assessed on their ability to identify relational hypotheses, family resources and intervention strategies.
In order to pass the course, all components must be passed. Otherwise, the student will have to sit the second assessment period.
Second Assessment Period
Final Resit Exam (80%)
If the student has only failed the exam in the first assessment period, the grade obtained in the practical assignment will be maintained.
If the student fails the practical component, they will be required to complete a resit exclusively for this part.
Bibliography and resources
Bibliografia general
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Teràpia Familiar Sistèmica en el context clínic/salut
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Cirillo, S., Berrini, R., Cambiaso, G., & Mazza, R. (1999). La familia del toxicodependiente. Barcelona: Paidós.
Cirillo, S., Selvini, M., & Sorrentino, A. M. (2004). La terapia familiar en los servicios psiquiátricos. Barcelona: Paidós.
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Fishman, H. C. (1995). Tratamiento de adolescentes con problemas. Barcelona: Paidós.
Gil, A., Vilaregut, A., & Campreciós, M. (2023). Evaluación, diagnóstico relacional e intervención sistémica en la familia. En C. Pérez & A. Vilaregut (Eds.), La terapia familiar. Una mirada psicoanalítica y sistémica (pp. 229-250). Barcelona: Herder.
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Selvini-Palazzoli, M., Cirillo, S., Selvini, M., & Sorrentino, A. M. (1999). Muchachas anoréxicas y bulímicas. Barcelona: Paidós.
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Vilaregut, A., Sánchez-Carbonell, X., & Seus, L. (2001). Consumo de drogas y terapia familiar sistémica. En C. Pérez-Téstor (Comp.), La familia: Nuevas aportaciones (pp. 221-240). Barcelona: Edebé.