In addition to understanding the systemic nature of family life, the second major emphasis of this section is on the benefits and process of conducting family based assessments with clients. Assessment is a process of studying a person or group of people in order to come to conclusions about what he, she, or they are like. Often the result of assessment includes a decision as to whether the person or persons is/are “normal.” As such, it is important for therapists to grapple with the question of what “normal” is and of how much variation can be allowed within that definition.
Specifically, for this week, you will review three commonly used family assessments (FACES, SFI, and FAD). To start this week, examine each of the instrument samples provided and read each of the assigned articles and chapters related to these models/assessments.
Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES; based on Olson’s Circumplex model)
The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES)
Olson, D. E., & Gorall, D. M. (2003). Circumplex model of marital and family systems.
Self-report Family Inventory (SFI; based on the Beavers model)
The Dallas Self-report Family Inventory (SFI)
Hampson, R., Hulgus, Y., & Beavers, W. (1991). Comparisons of self-report measures of the Beavers Systems Model and Olson's Circumplex Model.