Running Head Family InterviewFamily InterviewCompari.docx

Running Head: Family Interview
Family Interview
Comparison of Structural Family Therapy and
Solution
-Focused Therapy
Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
COUN-6201F-3
February 8, 2015
Family Profile
The family I interviewed is the Smith and Brooks family. This
family consists of Jason Smith a 22 year old African American

male, his girlfriend Carly Brooks a 22 year old Native
American/Caucasian female, their five month old daughter Ellie
Smith, who live with Carly’s parents Cherly Brooks a 47 year
old Native American/Caucasian female and Joe Brooks a 56
year old Caucasian male. Jason and Carly were best friends for
four years before they started dating two years ago and Cherly
and Joe have been married for 24 years. This family also have
two cats (Pepper and Posy), a dog (May), and a horse (Ava
Rain). Although this family is somewhat diverse, how they
relate with one another is uniquely special. Based on my
observations during the interview, this family truly enjoys each
other’s company, being around each other and spending quality
time.
Significant Changes in the Family
Within the past two years there have been some significant
changes within the family dynamics. One of the significant
changes is that almost two years ago Cherly’s mother (Carmen)
past away. According to the family Carmen was the glue of the
family. She was someone who could make any conflicts in the
family disappear as quickly as it begun, as well as having the
ability to put a smile on anyone’s face regardless of their mood.
When Carmen got sick, it took a toll on the family and caused a
bit of stress due to the uncertainty of her health. Carmen spent
a week in the hospital before she was moved back home (against
the wishes of certain family members), where within a couple of

days she passed away peacefully in her sleep in the comforts of
her own bed. Another significant change for the family was
when Cherly and Joe’s daughter started dating Jason, Carly’s
pregnancy, and Jason moving in. When Jason and Carly started
dating, Cherly and Joe were not too happy with their daughter
dating someone who was African American. Carly had no
biases about who she dated and had her share of boyfriends who
were of different races, which displeased her parents. Jason and
Carly have been friends for five years before they decided to
date each other. Because Carly’s parents already knew Jason
from his friendship with their daughter, and already had love
and respect for him, as well as knowing what type of person he
was, they accepted the relationship and welcomed Jason into
their family. After a year of Jason and Carly dating, she
became pregnant. Telling her parents about the pregnancy was
one of the most difficult things she ever had to tell her parents,
but to Carly’s surprise her parents welcomed the news, and of
all people her father suggested that Jason move into their home
to be closer to Carly for support and helping her out with the
pregnancy. Jason was welcomed into the home and is treated
like a son.
Smith/Brooks Typical Day
The typical day for this family is much like other families
where the individuals in the household leave the home for work.
Jason is a supervisor in the produce department of their local

supermarket and has been working for the same store for over 5
years. He leaves the house about 6:30 AM and works until 3:30
PM. Since Carly is a new mother, as for now she stays home
with Ellie. She feels strongly against putting her daughter in
daycare and letting someone else raise her child based on her
own experiences as a daycare teacher and viewed how long the
children remained at the school due to the work hours of the
parents. Cherly is a Special Education teacher and works with
various grades and age groups and has been working for the
county school department for over twenty years. She leaves the
house around 8:00 Am and arrives home around 3 PM. Lastly,
Joe is a refrigeration technician and has been with the same
company for 30 years. Joe typically leaves the house around 5
AM, specifically when his job takes him throughout his state of
residence. Joe’s job also takes him throughout the country to
various businesses in need of his services. Depending on how
far his job takes him, Joe is typically home about 4 PM. Once
everyone has made it home for the evening, the family has
dinner together, and when finished they get prepare for the next
day.
How Decisions are made in the Family
Most decisions within this family are made together, with the
exception of financial decisions. This family discusses
everything to make decisions, and although Jason is not a
biological member of the family, he is also included in the

decision making process. One example of a family decision,
which was a major decision to be made was the decision that
Joe and Cherly made to sell their home of 23 years. Although
the decision is really for Joe and Cherly to make, they included
Carly and Jason in that process since it affects them as well.
They made the decision to purchase a new house that was bigger
and that would accommodate everyone better. They planned on
buying a home that was big enough so that Jason, Carly, and
Ellie would basically have their side of the house and Joe and
Cherly would have their side, as well as making sure that Ellie
had her own room.
Things done as a Family
As a family, the Smith/Brooks go camping quite often at least
once per month April to November (weather permitting).
Camping is the main activity they do as a family, as well as
fishing when on the camp site. Everyone goes on these camping
trips including May (the dog). Another activity they do as a
family is go to the barn and visit Ava Rain. What makes this
family activity so special is that Ava Rain was a rescue horse.
When they got her she was underweight, malnutrition, and was
abused. Because of the love and attention from the family, Ava
Rain has come a long way. She is now at a healthy weight,
trained, and does tricks. Ava Rain has also developed a special
bond with Ellie that is somewhat protective. The other activity
the family does together is going out to dinner once per week.

They enjoy this because it gives them the opportunity to relax
and enjoy conversations about their day. Since Jason and Carly
are young new parents, to keep their relationship fresh, Cherly
watches Ellie so the young couple can go out and have some
time alone, additionally, Jason and Carly take Ellie out with
them. They enjoy taking Ellie to see Jason’s mother so she can
spend some quality time with her other grandmother.
Additionally, Joe and Cherly go out to dinner alone, as well as
take trips together to places like Virginia Beach and Myrtle
Beach. Although this family enjoys their time together, they
realize how important it is to have their space to keep the
harmony in the home.
Individual/Shared Interest
With this family, they have both individual and shared interest.
Jason likes to play video games and watch football, while Carly
likes to ride and groom her horse, Cherly likes to go to the
barn, cook, and relax by the pool, and Joe likes to relax, bowl,
and fish. Their shared interest are camping, traveling, relaxing
by the pool, and visiting the horse. Although it is important for
each member of this family to have their own individual
interest, it is equally important for those interests to be
supported by the other family members. These interested are
supported by letting each member of the family have their time
to complete those activities at their leisure.
Family Crisis

Recently Joe’s mother (Sarah) had a stroke and they were not
sure she was going to make. Joe and Cherly would go to the
hospital every day after work and sit with his mother for several
hours. Fortunately, the stroke was not as damaging as first
expected. Sarah was then moved to a rehabilitation center to
help her build back up her strength and motor skills. After two
weeks in the hospital and a month in rehab, Sarah was moved to
an assisted living facility, but is 90% back to her normal self.
Cultural/Ethnic Influences
Ethnic backgrounds, religious connections, and other causes
merge to generate a point of view that informs the method in
which parents formulate decisions. The role of culture does not
need to be predictable. According to Gladding (2015) “the
ethnic backgrounds of families influences their concept of life
cycles and their behaviors in regard to life events.” Since the
Smith/Brooks family has a diverse ethnic background, they have
incorporated influences from their Native American, Anglo, and
African American background. This family has no specific
influences in how they raised/will raise their children. Their
parenting style is more about individualism. Although in most
Anglo cultures, parents tend to highlight their children’s
individualism, and include uniqueness, self-expression, and
courage, Jason who is African American was raised the exact
same way by his single mother. He was raised to follow “the
beat of his own drum” and to never follow the crowd. Gladding

(2015) defines culture as “all of the dimensions of diversity,
including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, class,
gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability.” Carly has
adapted many of the cultures of Native Americans into who she
is and how she views animals, especially the wolf, which is held
in high regard and the hawk, which symbolizes the power to
see clearly. Carly also uses dream catchers which are utilized
to catch the bad dreams while you sleep. Multiethnic families
have become more ordinary in the United States and are
anticipated to grow. Thus far parenting approaches may not be
influenced when parents from diverse cultures raise their
children jointly. This is perhaps because partners from diverse
cultures have already worked out their cultural differences so as
to preserve their relationship as a couple. Inconsistencies in
parenting approaches may diminish the longer a couple has
worked collectively to raise their children. When parents have
extensively conflicting parenting approaches, however, this can
negatively persuade their children (TCALL, 2005). As with
Jason and Carly, although their daughter is quite young, they
have discussed how their daughter will be raised; for example,
Ellie will not be spanked as a form of discipline, she will also
not be sent to daycare.
Spiritual/Religious Background
The Smith/Brooks family is more spiritual than religious.
Although they believe there is a higher power, they do not

attend church or any other religious service. They are more
about spirituality, karma, treating others how they want to be
treated. Ironically, although they are not religious, they do ask
for prayers when times seem tough. Gladding (2015) states that
“spiritual beliefs and practices help families to cope and be
resilient, as well as to find meaning and moral principles by
which to live.” An example of this would be when Joe’s mother
was in the hospital after having a stroke, the family was asking
for their family to be kept in the prayers of family and friends.
Family Strengths
One of the main strengths of this family is communication and
working through any issues. Because of the respect they have
for each other, they take into consideration that they are all
different with their own unique perspective on various subjects.
Whenever there is an issue, they sit down and discuss it and
work out a solution that will benefit everyone. Although the
active listening model or validation model is a process theory
that is geared typically for married couples, this family
incorporates the techniques of this model in their everyday
interactions by listening, paraphrasing, and empathize with the
feelings of the other (Gottman, 1998). Since the family has
been utilizing this technique, it has only made their relationship
stronger.
Concepts Related to Wellness
Based on my interview with the Smith/Brooks family, according

to the family there are no issues that interfere with their
wellness. However, based on some of the information they
shared, I would have to disagree, and feel that their stress may
be on a subconscious level. One significant issue that can
interfere with the family’s wellness and cause stress is the
health issues Joe’s mother is dealing with. Wellness is defined
as the active process by which individuals become conscious of,
and formulate alternatives toward, a more successful way of life
(Myers, 2008). It is important for individuals and families to
take the necessary steps for wellness. One way this family
could incorporate wellness steps; whether as a family or
individually; they should do something that they enjoy and
relieves stress; Joe is most relaxed when he is fishing or Carly
who feels relaxed and stress free when getting a manicure and
pedicure. These simple steps can be the difference between
being well and mental and health issues.
Current Life Cycle
In every individual there is a comparison, which is everyone at
some point in their existence is exposed to the life cycle of their
family. “Family life cycle is the term used to describe
developmental trends within the family over time” (Gladding,
2015). The family life cycle for the Smith/Brooks family
covers stages one, six, and seven. Stage one is the trust vs.
mistrust which is the first year of life and highlights satisfying
essential physical and emotional needs, stage six is intimacy vs.

isolation which is years eighteen through thirty-five and
emphasizes on attaining intimate interpersonal relationships,
and stage seven is generativity vs. stagnation which is years
thirty-five through sixty-five and highlights assisting the next
generation and on being useful (Gladding, 2015). In stage one
Ellie is developing and learning to trust and relying on her
parents to provide her with the basic needs of every child.
Carly and Jason fit in stage six and are building an intimate
relationship with each other and rely on Joe and Cherly which is
stage seven. Joe and Cherly in this stage are helping their
daughter and Jason because they are a young family starting
out. According to Erikson (1968), as stated in Gladding(2015)
“as individuals grow into adulthood, they are challenged and
tested by new conflicts that must be mastered. These conflicts
come in the form of interactions with others in the family,
leisure, and work settings.” For instance, in most families there
is some intergenerational ambivalence, namely the coexistence
of mixed sentiments between the pressure that parents feel to
help adult children and the desire to be freed from their
demands and the desire of adult children to be independent and
yet accept needed assistance” (Gladding, 2015). Although there
are no conflicts as of yet with this family, Joe and Cherly feel
the need to help Carly and Jason, but also look for their time
together in the home without the young family.
Family Functioning, Styles, Patterns, and Quality

Standards of behavior are developed by families based on what
they consider is and is not acceptable within the context of the
family. These standards are strengthened by routine family
interactions. Reinforcing certain forms of behavior is vital,
such as those pertaining to physical risk (e.g., telling a child not
to touch something hot). Other family behaviors may need to be
modified or altered over time to meet varying family
circumstances (Goldbenberg, 2004). Research signifies that
families who are flexible can acclimatize to shifting family
circumstances have improved relationships. Rigid families have
more complicatedness in adjusting to situations that are
stressful to the family and are more apt to have conflict or to
cause umbrage among members of the family. Families
function at varying levels of emotional health. One approach of
assessing the well-being of family relationships is the Beavers
Scale of Family Functioning. Families are systems of emotional
connections and the Beavers scale classifies five developmental
stages and models of connecting within the family. They are
the Family in Pain, the Borderline Family, the Rule-Bound
Family, the Adequate Family, and the Optimal Family
(Goldenberg, 2004).
Of these stages, the Smith/Brooks fit into both the Adequate
Family and Optimal Family, which are level two and one.
These both share many of the same characteristics and
symbolize the uppermost progresses in family growth. These

systems both are egalitarian arrangements and the ability to
listen assiduously to contributions from all members of the
family. The difference between the two lies principally in a
matter of scale and in their probability for proper personal
encounters amongst members of a family (Goldenberg, 2004).
In the Adequate Family system, rules are clear but not written
in stone. Their purpose is understood as serving the best
interest of individuals, which is top priority. Therefore, rules
are subject to alterations when pragmatic circumstances or real-
life challenges them. In the Optimal Family is able to adapt
better than all previous levels to changes in family and its life
cycle events. This is mainly due to a deep sense of security and
trust in the emotional connection between members of the
family. Essentially, the Optimal Family experiences genuine
pleasure in one another’s company (Goldenberg, 2004). The
Smith/Brooks family has the ability to adapt to change, as well
as having the best interest of the other family members.
Additionally, the family is able to work out their conflicts in a
constructive way that is surrounded by respect.
References
Gladding, S. T. (2015). Family Therapy: History, Theory, and
Practice. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Goldberg, I., Goldberg, H. (2004). Family Therapy: An
Overview (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole

Gottman, J. M., Coan, J. Carrere, S., & Swanson, C. (1998).
Predicting marital happiness and stability from newlywed
interactions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 60(1), 5–22.
Myers, J. E., & Sweeney, T. J. (2008). Wellness counseling:
The evidence base for practice. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 86(4), 482–493.
Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning.
(2005). Parenting Styles, Cultures, and the Classroom. 9;2
Thakar, D. (2008). Parenting Style Discrepancies: A
Comparison of Inter-ethnic and Intra-ethnic Couples. University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Family Interview
1. Family Introduction: Jason Smith (22), Carly Brooks (22),
and their daughter Ellie Smith (5 m). Jason, Carly, and Ellie
live with Carly’s parents Cherly (48) and Joe Brooks (55)
(married for 24 years).
2. They have one dog and two cats.
3. In this family there is a close relationship with everyone.
4. The significant changes in the family are that Cherly’s

mother past away two years ago, Jason moved in a year ago, and
Ellie was born five months ago.
5. A typical day in the family: Joe is a refrigeration technician
and leaves the house about 4:30 AM when he is not traveling to
sites across the country, Cherly is a special education aid and
works with various ages and leaves the house about 8:00 AM,
Jason works in the produce department at a supermarket and
leaves the house about 7:00 AM, and Carly stays home with
Ellie for now.
6. Family decisions are made by the family as a whole,
especially when it concerns the whole family.
7. As a family they go camping, out to dinner, to visit their
horse Ava Rain.
8. Jason loves to play video games and watch football, as well
as go camping, Carly loves to go to the barn to visit Ava Rain
and occasionally go out with friends, Cherly loves to visit Ava
Rain, travel, and relax by the pool, and Joe loves to travel,
relax, bowling, and go fishing. The main shared interest is
camping.
9. Everyone’s individual interest is supported by letting them
have their time to enjoy their interest.
10. There have been no struggles or family crises to think of.
Gladding, S. T. (2015). Family Therapy: History, Theory, and
Practice. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson

Goldberg, I., Goldberg, H. (2004). Family Therapy: An
Overview (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole
Gottman, J. M., Coan, J. Carrere, S., & Swanson, C. (1998).
Predicting marital happiness and stability from newlywed
interactions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 60(1), 5–22.
Myers, J. E., & Sweeney, T. J. (2008). Wellness counseling:
The evidence base for practice. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 86(4), 482–493.
Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning.
(2005). Parenting Styles, Cultures, and the Classroom. 9;2
Thakar, D. (2008). Parenting Style Discrepancies: A
Comparison of Inter-ethnic and Intra-ethnic Couples. University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
COUN 6201 Final Project Guidelines: Family Interview
Due by Day 7 of Week 10
For the purpose of this assignment you will conduct a single
interview with a family (two or more
members) to assess family processes and development. The
family must be a family that is not

your own. Interviews typically last between 45-90 minutes,
depending on the family, and should
be conducted with as many members as possible present.
You are required to create a fictional name for your family to
help maintain their anonymity and
confidentiality. Follow-up questions and other salient questions
and topics may be explored with each
family as you see fit.
Please be sure to ask enough questions to obtain the information
you need to:
significant family events, length of
relationships, recent expansion or contraction of the family
system)

expectations, cultural and ethnic influences,
spiritual and or religious background, community involvement,
personal interests etc. Be sure to
use clinical language to support your conceptualization of this
family.
related to wellness could be
incorporated in supporting this family. Determine who you
would include in couples or family
counseling sessions if you were to see this family as a client,
and justify your response.
stage(s) and family functioning styles,
patterns and quality. Which family assessments might you use if
you were this family’s
counselor?

Papers should be completed in APA format in 10-12 double-
spaced pages (this does not include
any title or reference pages). Interview data can be collected
however you see fit- audio
recording is often helpful, but taking detailed notes works just
as well for some. You are not
required to submit interview transcripts.
The paper will be assessed according to the prescribed
Assignment and Final Project rubric.
Particular assessment and grading attention will be given to
your discussion of the relevant
stages, interactions, developmental and systemic elements of the
family life cycle, as well as the
varying family structural forms, socio-cultural contexts and

developmental challenges relevant to
promoting wellness in the family.
Please include at least 5 scholarly resources to support your
work. Resources should
include, at minimum, the course text and four peer reviewed
journal articles. As you gather your
interview data, conceptualize that information according to the
concepts we have learned
throughout the quarter. Refer to the final project rubric for
specific grading criteria.
An interview guide is attached and should be used to elicit
responses from the family you
choose to interview.

Family Interview Guide (Please add additional questions as
needed)
• Could you please introduce me to your family members, and
tell me what is important to know about
the make-up of your family? (for example: age of children,
descriptive information of each family
member)
• Who lives in your household?
• Tell me about the relationships in your family- who is close to
whom?
• Have there been any significant changes in your family
recently (1-2 years)?
• What does a typical day look like for your family?
• How do you make decisions in your family/as a family?

• What types of things do you do as a family/couple?
• Describe some of your individual interests? Is this/Are these
shared interests?
• How do you support each other’s individual interests?
• Tell me about a time your family has struggled through a
crisis or major family event.

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