Читать книгу Theory and Practice of Couples and Family Counseling - James Robert Bitter - Страница 72

There are actually some people who seem to be born counselors when they are working with individuals. Such people listen extremely well, bring a focused interest to most of their therapeutic relationships, and have what appears to be a natural capacity for expressing empathy. However, we all tend to have difficulties when we first start working with families. Listening well to family members without paying attention to family process can actually get us lost. Disorganized families often seem chaotic. Learning to think and work systemically is not easy: It takes time and practice.

The first family you see will probably be in a practicum or internship, and you will be under supervision. Being observed when you see your first family is often an added distraction, but it is also an essential safeguard for you and the family. It is not uncommon for the concerns, issues, and problems in the family to trigger unresolved, unfinished, or unaddressed issues in your own relationships. Knowing that you have an experienced practitioner backing you up can help turn your initial anxiety into excitement. Here are a few guidelines that may support your development as a family practitioner.