Our Approach

Outlined here are the main driving theories of the therapy at Eastside Center for Family.

Client Centered (Carl Rogers) means that the therapist’s emphasis is on the patient's self-discovery, interpretation, conflict resolution, and reorganization of values and life approach. These qualities are enabled by the warm, nondirective, unconditionally accepting support of the therapist, who reflects and clarifies the patient's discoveries.

Family Systems Theory There are eight interlocking concepts in Dr. Bowen's theory:

Triangles: The smallest stable relationship system. Triangles usually have one side in conflict and two sides in harmony, contributing to the development of clinical problems.

Differentiation of self: The variance in individuals in their susceptibility to depend on others for acceptance and approval.

Nuclear family emotional system: The four relationship patterns that define where problems may develop in a family. Marital conflict, dysfunction in one spouse, impairment of one or more children, emotional distance.

Family projection process: The transmission of emotional problems from a parent to a child.

Multigenerational transmission process: The transmission of small differences in the levels of differentiation between parents and their children.

Emotional cutoff: The act of reducing or cutting off emotional contact with family as a way managing unresolved emotional issues.

Sibling position: The impact of sibling position on development and behavior.

Societal emotional process: The emotional system governs behavior on a societal level, promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society.

(Murray Bowen) involves members of a family and focuses on interdependency of the family members rather than focusing on individuals in isolation from the family. Individuals are understood as a part of their family, since the family is an emotional unit. Therapists often start therapy sessions by creating a diagram called a genogram. The therapist will track patterns of behavior, distress and other functioning patterns as a method to gain understanding of the underlying patterns contributing to problems.

During the course of therapy couples and families are invited to explore family relationships and processes in order to improve them. The therapist helps family members to understand and modify home influences that contribute to mental distress in one or more family members. Improving communication and collective, constructive methods of solving problems is the primary goal in Family Systems Theory.

Stages Of Change (James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente) outline five stages that occur in change while defining dynamics that an individual is working through in each stage. If a therapist is not well aligned with the patient regarding the patient’s stage of change it will be felt by both. The patient will feel pushed before they are ready to move on, misunderstood and not supported. The therapist, if not practicing from this stage, will feel critical towards the patient, ineffective in their work and see the patient as "resistant". The stages are

Precontemplation Precontemplation

At this stage a person is not aware that a problem exists. It is not that a person is trying to be obstinate, he or she truly is not aware that there is a problem. This is especially true if there has been someone in the addicted person's life who "rescues" and "cleans up" after the addicted person. If the consequences of a behavior were not self-evident it would be difficult to believe a problem exists.

Things you may hear from your loved one or found yourself saying in this stage: "I'm not hurting anyone", "they need to get off my back", and "I'll go if you want me to".

To help someone in this stage avoid the use of the word "you" as in "you should really think about quitting or "you should think about calling someone for help", etc. This only serves to build resistance against changing. Instead try talking in generalities using the term "people" as in "I read here that some people have found going to treatment helps".

Contemplation Contemplation

At this stage a person is becoming aware that a problem exists. The person is beginning to think about changing the problem and may begin to do such things as calling a treatment center to find out what treatment costs and what kind of participation would be required.

No commitment has been made to change...yet.

Things you may hear from your loved one or found yourself saying in this stage: "I think I might be using too much" or "the other day I was really uncomfortable with how much I drank at the party".

To help someone in this stage provide information you have learned about addiction or treatment in a non-blaming, non-threatening manner that is informative while avoiding building resistance with confrontational language with statements that begin with "you".

Preparation Preparation

At this stage a person is beginning to accept responsibility for changing. The person is intending to take action to change within the next month.

The person is evaluating the ways to approach change and a plan is being made. Hope, confidence and commitment are building.

Things you may hear from your loved one or found yourself saying in this stage: "I want to stop so I can be a better parent", "I am ready to quit abusing myself like this", "and I deserve to be happy".

To help someone in this stage support the strong feelings of hope and desire that are beginning to emerge in your loved one with statements such as "yes, you do deserve to be happy", "getting sober will help you be a better parent".

Action Action

At this stage a person is taking the responsibility for change i.e., going to counseling and attending meetings. The person is making a conscious choice to adopt new behavior and to learn ways to avoid the old behavior.

This stage takes about six months before progressing.

Things you may hear from your loved one or found yourself saying in this stage: "Things are going great, my boss is really happy with me", "I just celebrated three months of sobriety and got a coin at my home group" and "I feel great".

To help someone in this stage provide praise and recognition. Go to Alanon to support your own efforts at recovery.

Maintenance Maintenance
At this stage a person is stable in recovery. He or she has a plan for dealing with the desire to use and plenty of support to help when times get tough. The person is conscious of high-risk situations.

In this stage the person has maintained change over six months.

Things you may hear from your loved one or found yourself saying in this stage: "I have a home group I attend every Wednesday so I cannot go to the movies with you." or "No thank you, I think I would rather not go where there is drinking".

To help someone in this stage continue attending Alanon and focusing on your recovery.