Psychotherapy with families impacted by intellectual disability, throughout the lifespan
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281111180637 |
| Pages | 26-33 |
| Published date | 16 September 2011 |
| Date | 16 September 2011 |
| Author | Judith Hill‐Weld |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care |
Case study
Psychotherapy with families impacted
by intellectual disability, throughout
the lifespan
Judith Hill-Weld
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to describe the value of utilizing family systems theory as a meta-theory in
psychotherapy with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, at
different stages of the family life cycle.
Design/methodology/approach – Family systems theory prioritizes the reciprocal impact of the familial
group and the individual. As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities often sustain high
involvement with their families throughout their lives, family systems theory might be especially relevant
to their mental health treatment. In addition, because people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities often live in family-like group settings and systems theory can be applied to family-like
groups, the theory is potentially even more widely applicable.
Findings – The case studies presented describe cases in which persons with intellectual disabilities or
their families presented in psychotherapy with mental health or behavioral symptoms. The cases
delineate the depathologizing effect of applying a family systems filter to the presenting problems, and
the unique ways in which presenting problems may be more effectively addressed byshifting the group
dynamics rather than treating only the individual symptoms.
Originality/value – Family systems theory is a well established school of psychotherapeutic treatment,
but its value in treating individuals with intellectual disabilities is not well documented or explained. While
there is literature on the challenges faced by families impacted by intellectual disability, there is little
information, particularly in the USA, about the application of family systems theory to the dynamics of
such families or about the benefit to the individual with intellectual disability of this approach to
psychotherapy.
Keywords Family systems, Intellectual disability, Psychotherapy, Life span, Family, Behaviour
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
People living with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns can benefit from a
variety of interventions. One intervention, psychotherapy, offers an array of techniques and
theoretical perspectives. Within psychotherapy, family systems theory provides a filter
through which other models and interventions can apply. This paper explores family systems
theory as a meta-theory in treating persons with intellectual disabilities.
Family systems theory prioritizes the reciprocal impact of the familial group and the individual.
People with intellectual disabilities often sustain high involvement with their families
throughout their lives. People with intellectual disabilities often live in group settings and family
systems theory can be applied to family-like groups. There is no doubt that families, friends,
PAGE 26
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ADVANCES IN MENTALHEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
VOL. 5 NO. 5 2011, pp. 26-33, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 DOI 10.1108/20441281111180637
Judith Hill-Weld is
a Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist with
a Private Practice
in Nevada City,
California, USA.
This paper is an abridged
version of a chapter by the
same title originally published
in Psychotherapy for
Individuals with Intellectual
Disabilities, edited by
Robert J. Fletcher and
published by NADD Press,
2011. This version appears in
Advances in Mental Health and
Intellectual Disabilities courtesy
of NADD Press.
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