Structural Family Therapy (Classroom & Synchronous) (CET338)

Level: Advanced
Duration: 4 days
Dates: 6 - 9 May 2025
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences and ZOOM

Synopsis

This course focuses on the application of practical counseling skills and techniques with families using the Structural Family Therapy Model. Participants will learn the theoretical concepts and framework of the Structural Family Therapy model developed by Salvador Minuchin and colleagues. Participants will analyse the Structural Family Therapy model to determine how best the model can be used to guide their approach to working with families. Participants will also learn clinical practice issues central to a systemic approach to family counselling through video segments of family interviews. This course encourages participants to draw on their previous experiences and apply the course materials into practiced skills through role-plays. 

Who Should Attend

This programme is for professionals, both counsellors and social workers, as well as individuals embarking on career switch into the social service sectors seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their therapeutic works with couples and families.

Topics

• Background of Salvador Minuchin
• Evolution of Structural Family Therapy
• Using Structural Family Therapy to understand family development
• Basic concepts in Structural Family Therapy
• Advantages and disadvantages of Structural Family Therapy
• Assessing Families: From Symptoms to Systems
• Treatment goals
• The Therapist Function
• The Craft of Family Therapy
• Working with subsystems
• Step One: Opening up the presenting problem
• Step Two: Establishing the problem maintenance
• Step Three: Structured focus on family history
• Step Four: Exploring alternative ways of relating
• Using Four-step Model with Children, Adolescents and Couples
• Using Four-step Model with Psychosomatic Cases
   
  

Objective

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Discuss the philosophical and theoretical concepts of the Four-step Model
• Evaluate the therapist's role in Structural Family Therapy
• Appraise the processes involved in the Four-step Model in a given clinical case/setting
  
  
  

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate how to surface the presenting problem, and highlight the problem-maintaining patterns
• Develop skills in focusing on exploration of the past regarding family-of-origin
• Apply the clinical skills in exploring alternative ways of relating in the family interactions
  
  

Schedule

Assessments

• Case Presentation (2 hours)
  The first segment is to assess the Learner's understanding and ability to accurately apply conceptually the framework of the Structural Model to a case. A case study will be given for all Learners to do an in-class exercise of it. A total of 50% or 50 marks of the total mark will be allocated to this segment.
• Skills Demonstration (1 hour)
  The second segment will focus on the Learner's ability to demonstrate skills in engaging a family using skills generic to working systemically and specifically, to apply skills specific to the Structural Model of Family Therapy, for example skills at obtaining an enactment or unbalancing a family. This segment will be conducted using role plays and each Learner will be peer reviewed based on a set prescribed feedback sheet. Each Role Play will see each Learner in the role as the Family Counsellor. A total of 40% or 40 marks of the total mark will be allocated to this segment.
• The remaining 10% or 10 marks of the total mark is awarded to attendance and class participation.
     
  

Requirements

• Degree in counselling, and at least 1 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work
• Degree in related fields (psychology, social work and education), completed the 5 foundational modules, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA
• Master in Psychology or Master in Social Work, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA and completed the foundational module Practicum: Specialised Counselling Skills
   
  

About the Trainer

Mr Benny Bong
Mr Bong is a Family and Marital Therapist who has had over 35 years of experience in counselling, clinical supervision and in teaching. He is currently in private practise and is an adjunct lecturer with the National Institute of Education, National University of Singapore, the Singapore Bible College and the Executive Counselling and Training Academy where he sits on the Academic Board in their joint programme with Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia. Besides teaching at these institutions, Mr. Bong also provides training workshops with the Family Resource and Training Institute and the Social Service Institute.

As a practitioner, Mr Bong is heavily influenced by the systemic framework and draws in particular from the Models of Structural Family Therapy and the Transgenerational Model of Bowen. He also tries to practise in a way that is culturally sensitive. The areas of professional interests he has are in addressing topics of Family Violence, working with Men and Marital and Family Counselling.
 

Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
   
2. Application form
   
   

Course Fee

¹ Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
² Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.

• Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
• Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
• The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
• Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice

For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following: