AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY COUNSELLING
DIPLOMA OF COUNSELLING AND FAMILY THERAPY (Christian)
YEAR 2
AIFC 540B Provide Therapy for Married and Other Couples
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
The following written assignment is to be completed (typed) and sent to your tutor by
______/______/___________
This written assignment will also assess your understanding of the portions of Yarhouse, M and Sells, J, Family
Therapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal as documented in the Handbook for Students (Chapters 14, 15)
The assignment must be completed in 3000 - 5000 words. If you exceed the prescribed word limit (5000 words) you will be
asked to resubmit the assignment within 3 days. Please carefully study instructions relating to assessment of assignments on
pages 8 – 11 in your Handbook.
John and Mary, a young married Christian couple, who are seeking marriage therapy as their differences are causing
considerable conflict within their marriage. John is outgoing, sporty, and loves spending time with his extended
family, while Mary is quiet and prefers to spend time at home with John. In your therapy, using the AIFC Marriage
Therapy Model, with this couple address the following issues.
1. Initial therapy procedure (150-250 words)
2. Briefly discuss the impact of their differences on the marriage with reference to (a) modern values and types of
relationships, (b) specific gender and family of origin differences, (c) personality and family of origin differences
and (d) the basic needs of husbands and wives (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) (450-750 words – 150-250 each)
3. Describe tests that would be useful in this situation, such as Myers Briggs (or KTS) and RSA (Litchfield) and
how you would administer them. Comment on their value to John and Mary. (1.3) (300-500 words)
4. Clarify with John and Mary the meaning of intimacy in marriage and explore the four types of
intimacy. Comment on the differing male/female needs for intimacy. (2.1, 2.2) (300-500 words)
5. Discuss the requirements for healthy and fulfilling sexuality with John and Mary. (3.1-3.4) (450-750 words)
6. (a) Explore with John and Mary the principles of good financial management. (4.1) (150-250 words)
(b) John and Mary request further information as to what other issues they may expect as they face marriage and
life together including what early predictors they might need to be aware of. (4.2) (150-250 words)
7. Joe and Paige, a middle-aged Christian couple, with three children come to you contemplating divorce after
Paige’s affair. (5.2-5.4) (450-750 words – 150-250 each)
Discuss the following issues with them:
a. The causes of unfaithfulness.
b. The consequences of unfaithfulness and divorce.
c. Therapy for unfaithfulness.
8. You determine that Joe is possibly experiencing midlife crisis and Paige may be entering menopause.
Discuss these two issues with them and their implications. Also refer to ways in which they can revitalise
their relationship. (4.2, 6.1, 6.2) (300-500 words)
9. Dean and Helen are either planning to marry or live together. Dean is single while Helen is a divorcee with two
children. Plan a series of premarital counselling for this couple. Be sure to include a discussion on the issue of
conflict, the impact on Helen’s children and the conflicting Christian views surrounding divorce and remarriage
and sensitively consider the issue of sexual purity, and the implications of cohabitation. (Yarhouse, Chapters 14
and 15) (1.1, 5.5, 7.1, 7.2, 8.2, 9.1-9.3) (300-500 words)
10. Discuss the main issues which may require therapy for one of the following: singles, newly married, singleparent families, blended families, middle aged couples/families, and elderly couples. (8.1-8.3) (150-250 words)
© Copyright 2012 Australian Institute of Family Counselling Ltd.
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