Intensive Family‐of‐Origin Consultation: An Intergenerational Approach

Abstract

The intergenerational family is an emotionally charged force field in which we are deeply embedded and from which we inherit messages, usually covert, that shape, influence, and compel us to certain destinies for better and for worse. Although we are not passive puppets manipulated by our familial histories, the emotional forces constituting this highvoltage system are profound and deep, demanding and unyielding, laden with blessings and curses that infiltrate our ordinary, everyday lives. Framo (1992, p. 7) describes the wide and deep range of family life:Families can provide the deepest satisfaction of living: unreserved and unconditional love; gratifying bonding; measureless sacrifice; enduring dependability; compassionate belonging; the joys and warmth of family holidays; the fun and play; the give and take . . . Still, the hurts and damage that family members can inflict upon one another are infinite: scapegoating; humiliation and shaming; parentification; crazymaking; physical, sexual, and psychological abuse; cruel rejections; lies and deceit; and the manifold outrages against the human spirit.This power of the intergenerational force field has been at the center of many historic family therapy models (e.g., . However, over the last couple of decades, attention to the intergenerational perspective as a primary therapeutic resource seems to have waned, eclipsed by growing attention to therapeutic orientations driven more by solutions, results, brevity, and evidence-based support. Intergenerational approaches to marriage and family therapy have faded and have been cast as long-term, more laborious, cost-ineffective, insight-oriented, and often impractical, considering the frequent need to involve other family-of-origin members.

Systems unify family psychology.

“…Negativity in men' s families of origin was related to higher levels of directly observed anger as newlyweds and subsequent divorce 4 years later (Story et al, 2004; see also Chapter 38, this volume). These intergenerational effects point to the need to consider how family of origin experiences may affect prevention and intervention efforts (Weber & Cebula, 2009).…”