Jerry Gale

The Discourse of Race and Culture in Family Therapy Supervision: A Conversation Analysis

Family therapy literature has emphasized the importance of examining contextual variables in supervision. This study explored how the talk of race, ethnicity, and culture is accomplished within the supervision session using conversation analysis. Conversation analysis is a naturalistic and descriptive methodology that examines patterns across naturally occurring conversations. The results indicated that the participants accomplished four domains of talk that involved the discourse of race, ethnicity, or culture. These domains included contextual markers, self of the therapist issues, cross cultural issues in the therapeutic relationship and cultural issues affecting the supervisory relationship. Implications for supervision and future directions are discussed.

Discursive Approaches to Clinical Research

As therapists, our tools are our discursive performance. But, how do we know what our actions accomplish? When we talk about such practices as collaboration, co-construction, transparency, and gender and cultural equality, how are these constructs performed, and what consequences are achieved? While one’s goal for integrity of ideology and practice may be sincere, we need to reflect upon the following question: “How does our ‘talk about the talk’ of therapy match our discursive performances achieved in session?” In this chapter we will present some ideas about discursive approaches to clinical research. Several analytical methods will be presented that can be used to consider how talk manages, maintains, creates, and challenges the construction of identity and social interaction, and key differences and tensions between these discursive methods will be highlighted. In particular, we note how these methodological tensions are similar to tensions between various discursive therapy approaches, and reflect epistemological choices made by researchers and practitioners. Finally, implications of discursive research for practitioners, supervisors/educators, and researchers, as well as potential concerns involved with this type of research are also provided.

A field guide to qualitative inquiry and its clinical relevance

This paper provides an overview of qualitative research and is written to assist the reader to both understand and use qualitative methods. The relevance of qualitative research to clinical practice is highlighted. A brief historical perspective of qualitative research is given, along with many of the underlying epistemological issues of qualitative methods. A working definition of qualitative inquiry is offered and various descriptions of several major features of qualitative inquiry are provided. The relevance and application of qualitative research is presented through the description of four methods of inquiry, and a number of completed studies are described briefly.

African American Clergy Share Perspectives on Addressing Sexual Health and HIV Prevention in Premarital Counseling: A Pilot Study

This exploratory qualitative pilot study examined the extent to which seven African American clergy discussed and promoted sexual health dialogue with couples preparing for marriage. We explored the following topics: (a) clergy perspectives on disclosure; (b) clergy awareness about HIV/AIDS and (c) the extent to which clergy awareness about HIV is translated into their premarital counseling programs. Our results suggest that greater awareness and comfort level with discussions about sexuality mediate the inclusion of sexual health and promotion of HIV testing in premarital counseling.

Defining Mediator Knowledge and Skills

A two-year collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and advisers from the major national organizations of mediators produced a job analysis relevant to mediators involved in interpersonal disputes (i.e., divorce, community, formal parent-child mediation, etc.). One byproduct of the job analysis is an extensive list of the knowledge areas and skills important to effective job performance. This essay defines the knowledge and skill areas that emerged from the analysis.

Adolescent Socialization in Rural Appalachia: The Perspectives of Teens, Parents, and Significant Adults

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the social networks of Appalachian adolescents to understand socialization strategies and goals. A total of 46 interviews were conducted with five families (mothers, fathers, and adolescents) and 11 socialization agents the families identified as exerting significant influence in the lives of the adolescents. Interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using principles of grounded theory. Five themes developed from the interviews: the importance of community to the socialization process, adult involvement and support, adolescent monitoring, teaching respect and responsibility, and adolescent autonomy. Results suggest the need for in-depth investigation of adolescent development within a variety of cultural and social contexts to more fully understand these processes.

Five (plus or minus 2) Guiding Principles of Improvisational Performance Relevant to the Practice, Research and Teaching of Therapy

Abstract This paper provides a brief history of improvisational theater, beginning with its roots in pre-literate oral traditions. Five (more or less) key elements of improvisational theater are presented and explained. These five themes include: (1) relational action; (2) contextual sensitivity; (3) problem solving experience; (4) narrative patterns; and (5) no rules, no failures. How these five elements are relevant to the practice, research and teaching of family therapy is then discussed.

Marital Satisfaction, Conflict Resolution Styles, and Religious Attendance Among Latino Couples: Using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

Research related to the process of communication among couples is central to the work of couple and family therapists. This study examines the relationship between couple’s conflict resolution styles, weekly church attendance, and marital satisfaction. Specifically, we surveyed 191 Latino couples using Gottman’s typology of conflict resolution styles (e.g., validator, avoidant, and volatile) to identify which style predicted marital satisfaction for both partners. Using the actor–partner interdependence model, we find a multifaceted picture of how partner’s conflict resolution style influences theirs and their partner’s marital satisfaction.

Collaborative Relational Model

Based on an ecosystemic perspective, the Collaborative Relational Model of Financial Therapy addresses clients’ needs from a holistic perspective to facilitate improvements in overall well-being. The collaborative relational model of financial therapy is based on the concept of utilizing complementary professionals, each with expertise in their individual areas, to provide in-depth financial therapy to clients. This chapter will introduce the model, provide the foundation of its theoretical framework, and offer illustrations of its use in practice. Lastly, a discussion of its benefits, both for the counselors and clients, is presented.

Building Bridges: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Between Family Therapy and Islamic Studies

This case study of a college-aged Pakistani-American woman presents how cross-disciplinary collaboration was used to develop a religiously and culturally sensitive treatment approach for a Muslim client. This client, stalked by her Muslim ex-boyfriend and unwilling to disclose her experiences to her family, experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms. The therapy team invited an expert in the field of Islamic studies to assist in understanding Muslim culture and its impact on treatment. Through weekly individual therapy, the client reported improved mental health and relational functioning.