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
1. Introduction to Couple and Family Therapy
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Course presentation and learning objectives
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Introduction to the systemic model and historical context
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Theoretical foundations: General Systems Theory, Cybernetics, and Human Communication Theory
2. Basic tools of systemic analysis
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The genogram as a clinical working tool
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The individual and family life cycle
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Family sculptures: technique and applications
3. Main schools of Systemic Family Therapy
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The Palo Alto model (MRI): communication theory, strategic approaches, and case studies
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Structural Family Therapy
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The Milan School: contributions and clinical practice
4. Relational diagnosis in Family Therapy
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Conjugality
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Parenthood
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Co-parenthood
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Function of the symptom and relational hypotheses
5. Relational bases of psychopathology
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Systemic intervention in diverse psychopathologies
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Eating disorders and family intervention
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Substance use disorders and systemic approaches
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Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS)
6. The therapeutic process
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The first interview in Family Therapy
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Context, referral, and demand
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The therapeutic alliance
7. Couple Therapy
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Models and strategies in working with couples
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Clinical practice and case studies
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 call
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Final written exam (70%)
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Exam with development questions and practical application.
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Passing the exam is mandatory to pass the course.
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Experiential practical exam (20%)
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Each group will be assigned a detailed clinical case, including the family structure and the main dynamic.
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A first family therapy session will be simulated. All group members will take on the role of therapist, in rotation.
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The ability to identify relational hypotheses, family resources, and intervention strategies will be assessed.
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Course portfolio (10%)
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A document compiling the exercises and activities carried out in class (genogram, sculptures, video analyses, etc.).
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Must include a final personal reflection on the learning achieved and what the student “takes away” from the course, with the possibility of adding further readings or personal insights.
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Integration, clarity of expression, and critical reflection will be valued.
To pass the course, all parts must be passed. Otherwise, the student will need to take the second call.
Second call
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Resit final exam (70%).
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If the student only failed the exam in the first call, the grade of the practical work and the portfolio will be kept.
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If the student did not submit the portfolio or failed the practical work, these must be presented in recovery format, according to the lecturer’s instructions.
Bibliography and resources
Bibliografia general
Asen, E., & Tomson, P. (1997). Intervención familiar. Barcelona: Paidós.
Ausloos, G. (1998). Las capacidades de la familia. Barcelona: Herder.
Botella, Ll., & Vilaregut, A. (2001). Terapia familiar sistémica. En C. Pérez-Téstor (Comp.), La familia y nuevas aportaciones (pp. 63-81). Barcelona: Edebé.
Cancrini, L. (1989). La psicoterapia: gramàtica y sintaxis. Barcelona: Paidós.
Ceberio, M. R., & Linares, J. L. (2008). Ser y hacer en terapia sistémica. La construcción de un estilo terapéutico. Barcelona: Paidós.
Guerin, P., Fogarty, T., Fay, & Gibert, J. (s.f.). Triángulos relacionales. El a-b-c de la psicoterapia. Buenos Aires: Amorrortu.
Haley, J. (1993). Terapia para resolver problemas. Buenos Aires: Amorrortu.
Haley, J. (2006). El arte de la terapia estratégica. Barcelona: Paidós.
Hoffman, L. (1987). Fundamentos de la terapia familiar. México: Fondo de Cultura Económica.
Lebow, J. L. (2014). Couple and family therapy: An integrative map of the territory. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Linares, J. L. (1996). Identidad y narrativa. Barcelona: Paidós.
Linares, J. L. (2012). Terapia familiar ultramoderna. La inteligencia terapéutica. Barcelona: Herder.
Madanes, C. (1993). Terapia familiar estratégica. Buenos Aires: Amorrortu.
McGoldrick, M., & Gerson, R. (1987). Genogramas en la evaluación familiar. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Minuchin, S. (1992). Familias y terapia familiar. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Minuchin, S. (1998). El arte de la terapia familiar. Barcelona: Paidós.
Minuchin, S., & Fishman, H. C. (1984). Técnicas de terapia familiar. Barcelona: Paidós.
Moreno, A. (2014). Manual de terapia sistémica. Principios y herramientas de intervención. Bilbao: Brower.
Navarro, J. (1992). Técnicas y programas en terapia familiar. Barcelona: Paidós.
Pubill, M. J., & Linares, J. L. (2005). Las cartas terapéuticas. Una técnica narrativa en terapia familiar. Barcelona: Paidós.
Ríos, J. A. (2003). Vocabulario básico de orientación y terapia familiar. Madrid: CCS.
Salem, G. (1990). Abordaje terapéutico de la familia. Barcelona: Masson.
Selvini, M. (1990). Crónica de una investigación. La evolución de la terapia familiar en la obra de Mara Selvini Palazzoli. Barcelona: Paidós.
Selvini-Palazzoli, M., Boscolo, M., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1988). Paradoja y contraparadoja. Barcelona: Paidós.
Simon, F., Stierlin, H., & Wynne, L. C. (1988). Vocabulario de terapia familiar. Buenos Aires: Gedisa.
Vilaregut, A., Roca, M., & Pretel-Luque, T. (2023). La familia desde la mirada sistémica. En C. Pérez & A. Vilaregut (Eds.), La terapia familiar. Una mirada psicoanalítica y sistémica (pp. 55-72). Barcelona: Herder.
Von Schlippe, A., & Schweitzer, J. (2003). Manual de terapia y asesoría sistémicas. Barcelona: Herder.
Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J., & Jackson, D. (1981). Teoría de la comunicación humana. Barcelona: Herder.
Watzlawick, P., & Ceberio, M. R. (2006). La construcción del universo. Barcelona: Herder.
Teràpia Familiar Sistèmica en el context clínic/salut
Abío, A., & Vilaregut, A. (2006). Adolescents amb trastorns de conducta: percepció de l’estil de socialització rebut de les seves figures parentals. Aloma, 18, 154-174.
Caillé, Ph. (1992). Uno más uno son tres. La pareja revelada a sí misma. Barcelona: Paidós.
Campo, C., & Linares, J. L. (2000). Tras la honorable fachada. Barcelona: Paidós.
Campo, C., & Linares, J. L. (2002). Sobrevivir a la pareja. Problemas y soluciones. Barcelona: Planeta Prácticos.
Campo, C., & Ramo, M. (2022). Terapia de pareja e infidelidad. Un modelo de diagnóstico relacional e intervención terapéutica desde la perspectiva sistémica. Madrid: Morata.
Campinini, A., & Luppi, F. (1996). Servicio social y modelo sistémico. Barcelona: Paidós.
Cancrini, L. (1995). La caja de Pandora. Barcelona: Paidós.
Cancrini, L. (2007). Océano borderline. Viajes por una patología inexplorada. Barcelona: Paidós.
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.
Coletti, M., & Linares, J. L. (1997). La intervención sistémica en los servicios sociales ante la familia multiproblemática. Barcelona: Paidós.
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.
Ibáñez, N., Linares, J. L., Vilaregut, A., Virgili, C., & Campreciós, M. (2012). Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Evaluación de las Relaciones Familiares Básicas (CERFB). Psicothema, 24(3), 489-494.
Jones, E., & Asen, E. (2004). Terapia sistémica de pareja y depresión. Bilbao: Desclée de Brouwer.
Linares, J. L. (2002). Del abuso y otros desmadres. El maltrato familiar, entre la terapia y el control. Barcelona: Paidós.
Linares, J. L. (2007). La personalidad y sus trastornos desde una perspectiva sistémica. Clínica y Salud, 18, 381-399.
Linares, J. L., Pubill, M. J., & Ramos, R. (2005). Las cartas terapéuticas. Una técnica narrativa en terapia familiar. Barcelona: Herder.
Onnis, L. (1996). Terapia familiar de los trastornos psicosomáticos. Barcelona: Paidós.
Pereira Tercero, R. (2024). Manual de terapia familiar sistémica: La terapia familiar en situaciones especiales (Tomo 1). Madrid: Morata.
Selvini-Palazzoli, M., Cirillo, S., Selvini, M., & Sorrentino, A. M. (1990). Los juegos psicóticos en la familia. Barcelona: Paidós.
Selvini-Palazzoli, M., Cirillo, S., Selvini, M., & Sorrentino, A. M. (1999). Muchachas anoréxicas y bulímicas. Barcelona: Paidós.
Stanton, M. D., & Todd, T. (1994). Terapia familiar del abuso y adicción a las drogas. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Steinglass, P., Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., & Reiss, D. (1997). La familia alcohólica. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Vilaregut, A. (2003). Dinámica familiar, vínculo conyugal y parental en familias con un miembro drogodependiente (Tesi doctoral, Universitat Ramon Llull). Repositori TDX. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/52307
Vilaregut, A., Günther, C., & Bolaños, I. (2023). La familia separada: coparentalidad. En C. Pérez & A. Vilaregut (Eds.), La terapia familiar. Una mirada psicoanalítica y sistémica (pp. 175-189). Barcelona: Herder.
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.
Evaluation period
- E1 14/01/2026 A10 12:00h