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Family Sculpture
Author(s) -
Gerrard Jeffrey M.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
australian journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0156-8779
DOI - 10.1002/j.1467-8438.1981.tb00051.x
Subject(s) - sculpture , perspective (graphical) , dimension (graph theory) , intervention (counseling) , variety (cybernetics) , psychology , family therapy , visual arts , art , psychotherapist , computer science , artificial intelligence , mathematics , psychiatry , pure mathematics
This paper reviews the development and literature on family sculpture and the variety of applications that have evolved. The author then describes his experience with family sculpture in the training of family therapists and suggests indications for its use with families. The method is presented and illustrated with three case studies. In the first case the sculpture is done by three family members, each giving a different perspective. Videotape playback is then used to give them feedback on each of these perspectives. In the second, the sculpture is done by the teenager in the family. Here intensification is applied and the insights from this are then used to develop a strategic intervention. The third case demonstrates a family of origin sculpture with one member of the family. Videotape playback to family and therapist provides an added dimension for reviewing the options for change created in the sculpture. These options are generated in the sculpture which provides a family map indicating what changes are necessary. The options for change can be enacted by the family members and then translated by the therapist via prescription of tasks to change the family system as it functions on a day to day basis.