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The Analysis of an Integrated Model of Therapy Using Structural and Gottman Method Approaches: a Case Study Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2009 The Analysis of an Integrated Model of Therapy Using Structural and Gottman Method Approaches: A Case Study Taylor Cameron Herrin Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons Recommended Citation Herrin, Taylor Cameron, "The Analysis of an Integrated Model of Therapy Using Structural and Gottman Method Approaches: A Case Study" (2009). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 368. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/368 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ANALYSIS OF AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF THERAPY USING STRUCTURAL AND GOTTMAN METHOD APPROACHES: A CASE STUDY by Taylor Herrin A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Family, Consumer, and Human Development (Marriage and Family Therapy) Approved: __________________________ ___________________________ Thorana S. Nelson, Ph.D. Scot M. Allgood, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member __________________________ ___________________________ Michael K. Hinds, M.S. Byron Burnham, Ed.D. Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2009 ii ABSTRACT The Analysis of an Integrated Model of Therapy Using Structural and Gottman Method Approaches: A Case Study by Taylor C. Herrin, Master of Science Utah State University, 2009 Major Professor: Dr. Thorana S. Nelson Department: Family, Consumer, and Human Development The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of an integrated model of therapy for one therapist. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from three family dyads. Ten therapy sessions were coded and analyzed to evaluate fidelity to the treatment model. Several themes emerged from the data that provided a foundation for analysis and clarification of the integrated model. The results of this research are organized into four research categories: fidelity to the integrated model, clients and change, how one session or case informs another, and how therapeutic decisions were made. Results indicate that the therapist maintained fidelity to the integrated model and client changes resulted. An analysis of the treatment model is discussed, along with schemes for decision-making and the implementation of therapeutic techniques. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed. (140 pages) iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Numerous individuals made this project possible. I would like to thank several people who supported me throughout this project and contributed to my growth as a person and a therapist. I am thankful to my wife, Jackie, for offering her love, time, and talents to helping me complete this project. She has been supportive every step of the way, from her editing skills to discussing ideas and concepts about therapy, love, and change. I love you always and in all ways. My major professor, Dr. Thorana Nelson, taught me a great deal about how to organize and construct a research project. I could not have possibly done this without her guidance and support. I am grateful to her for assisting me to articulate my thoughts and ideas in an organized manner, going above and beyond to help me complete this study. Thank you, Rana. My advisory committee bent over backward to help me reach deadlines while providing useful and constructive feedback that allowed me to clarify the topic and method for this study. The faculty in the Utah State University Marriage and Family Therapy program have challenged me to grow as a person and a clinician. I am thankful for their efforts to facilitate my development on many levels. My Utah State University cohort has been instrumental in my growth and understanding of therapy. Attending graduate school with them has enhanced my learning and been a real privilege. iv I appreciate each of the clients who participated in this study. I enjoyed every minute of it, and without them this project would not have been possible. I am grateful to my parents, who have encouraged and supported me in all my endeavors. They have always cheered me on. I could not appreciate it more. Gramine and Grandpa have played a big role in my desire to attain education and learning. Their support has benefitted my entire family. And to my children, who provided light moments when I needed to go to Never Never Land and take a break from reality. Their love and laughter motivated me to finish this project. Taylor C. Herrin v CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................1 The Scientist-Practitioner Model ...............................................1 Problem......................................................................................2 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................4 Systems Concepts ......................................................................4 Structural Family Therapy .........................................................7 Gottman Method Couple Therapy ...........................................16 Integration of the Models.........................................................27 Structure of Treatment .............................................................30 Purpose and Research Questions .............................................37 III. METHOD ............................................................................................38 Design ......................................................................................38 Sample......................................................................................39 Instruments...............................................................................41 Procedures................................................................................48 Data Analysis...........................................................................50 IV. RESULTS ...........................................................................................55 Research Question One: How Well Did I Maintain Fidelity to the Integrated Treatment Model?...................................56 Research Question Two: When This Integrated Model Is Used as Set Forth in Chapter II, Do Clients Report Meaningful Changes? ........................................................61 vi Research Question Three: How Does the Work in One Case or Session Inform the Work in Another? ..................67 Research Question Four: How Did I Make Decisions About Use and Timing of Interventions and Techniques? ...........70 V. DISCUSSION............................................................................................78 Research Question One: How Well Did I Maintain Fidelity to the Integrated Treatment Model? .................................78 Research Question Two: When This Integrated Model Is Used as Set Forth in Chapter II, Do Clients Report Meaningful Changes? ............................................87 Research Question Three: How Does the Work in One Case or Session Inform the Work in Another? ..................90 Research Question Four: How Did I Make Decisions About Use and Timing of Interventions and Techniques? ...........93 Other Findings .........................................................................95 Limitations ...............................................................................99 Clinical Implications..............................................................101 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................105 APPENDICES ...........................................................................................................115 Appendix A: Informed Consent for Treatment; Informed Consent for Research; IRB Approval Letter; Memo From MFT Director .........................................................116 Appendix B: SFT/GMCT Checklist and Training Manual................123 vii LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 SFT/GMCT Checklist Results......……………...……...………………………...57 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Sound relationship house .................................................................................17 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Research indicates that the lifetime prevalence rate of divorce among first marriages is 40-50% (Kreider & Fields, 2002). Of marriages that end in divorce, 40% occur within the first five years of marriage, and 67% occur within ten years (Gottman & Levenson, 2002). Data suggest that failure rates for second marriages are similar or potentially higher than for first marriages. Numerous studies indicate the consequences of marital dissolution on adults and children (Graham, Christian, & Keicolt-Glaser, 2006; Holt-Lunstad, Birmingham,
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