Posted: March 16th, 2022

School of Health & Social Sciences

Family Systems Therapy
School of Health & Social Sciences
CPC 512: Family Systems Therapy
C20
5 Credits
Effective Date (01/01/2022)
Course Dates: 01/08/2022 – 03/12/2022
Faculty & Contact Information
Primary Faculty: Kim Busch, MC, Registered Psychologist
Email: [email protected]
Access to the Internet is required.
All written assignments must be in Microsoft-Word-compatible formats.
See the library’s Ace homework tutors – APA Style Guide tutorial for a list of Ace homework tutors – APA resources.
Syllabus
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Territorial Acknowledgement & Statement of Inclusion
We acknowledge that many of the staff, faculty and students in the Master of Counselling
Program at City University in Canada live, work and study on the traditional territory of the
Tsuut’tina Nation, Stoney Nakoda Nation, Siksika Nation and Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3
in Calgary, Alberta.
CityU honours human diversity in all its forms and is committed to the principle of universal
human dignity. We further acknowledge that our learning community is greatly enriched through
the voices and perspectives of staff, faculty, and students from all intersections of society
including LGBTQ+, BIPOC and diversely-abled communities.
Course Description
This course introduces students to classic and contemporary family theories and their clinical
applications. Students will explore the history and evolution of family therapy with a special
focus on diversity and the sociocultural context(s) within which families are embedded. A wide
range of traditional and non-traditional family models will be examined (e. g., nuclear families,
blended families, LGBT families etc.), including students’ own family histories and their impact
on students’ development.
Consideration of Social Justice Issues
City University in Canada is committed to social justice, access, and inclusion. Throughout their
studies in the Master of Counselling Program, students are invited to reflect on a range of social
justice questions as follows:
• What values, biases, and assumptions are embedded in our dominant society’s
depiction of a “normal family?”
• How does your cultural background influence the relationship and power dynamics in
your family?
• How might the implicit assumptions embedded in your own family dynamics serve as a
barrier to understanding family dynamics with a client from a different culture?
Course Resources
Michael P. Nichols, Sean Davis (2020). Family therapy: Concepts and methods with Enhanced
Pearson e Text – Access Card Package (12th ed). Boston: Pearson (ISBN: 9780136911814)
Required
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Course Outcomes
In this course, students…
• Analyze the influence of culture on family dynamics
• Assess the influence of students’ family backgrounds on their counselling approaches
• Evaluate a range of family systems theories
• Synthesize theoretical frameworks with individual family norms
• Explore transference and countertransference
Additional Information
Core concepts/knowledge/skills.
• Appropriate case conceptualization
• Cultural competence
• Integrative practice
• Self-reflection
~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading Scale
The grades earned for the course will be calculated using City University of Seattle’s decimal
~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading system, found in the current University Catalog (https://www.cityu.edu/catalog/).

Scale 100.00 – 92.00 91.99-82.00 81.99 – 75.00 74.99 – 0.00
Decimal Grade
Equivalent 4.0 – 3.7 3.6 – 2.7 2.6 – 2.0 1.9 – 0.0
Exceeds Standard At Standard Approaching Standard Below Standard
AssignmentTutorOnline

~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading rubrics with details on how each assignment will be graded are located under
Assignments and/or in My Grades in the online course menu. Students should review the rubric
for each assignment prior to completing their work in order to understand how it will be
assessed.
Course Assignments and ~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading
The grades earned for the course will be derived using CityU’s decimal ~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading system, based
on the following:

Overview of Required Assignments % of Final Grade
Genogram and Family of Origin Paper 30%
Peer-Review Group Report 10%
Assessment and Intervention
Presentation/Project 20%
Assessment and Intervention Paper 40%
Total 100%
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Course Assignment Details
Genogram and Family of Origin Paper
Understanding the influence of one’s family of origin is a critical professional competency for
developing therapists. For the first part of this assignment, students will create a family
genogram of three to four generations, including the following information: 1) dates of birth; 2)
genders; 3) ethnicity; 4) education; 5) occupations; 6) marriages; 7) divorces; 8) births; 9)
deaths; 10) medical issues; 11) psychological struggles; and 12) significant
losses/accomplishments.
For the second part of this assignment, students will write a paper reflecting on significant
interactional patterns between their family members. Students’ insights will be supported with
scholarly citations and the use of course concepts. Students will discuss specific ways in which
their family of origin dynamics may influence their therapeutic style. Opportunities for personal
growth and transformation should be clearly articulated and explored.
This paper must be 6 to 8 pages, double-spaced, using a minimum of five to eight peerreviewed sources from the past 5 years. Ace homework tutors – APA formatting and citations are mandatory as the
failure to cite sources appropriately constitutes plagiarism.

~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading Criteria Grade Points
Genogram 10 Points
Evidence and Support 20 Points
Analysis and use of Course Concepts 20 Points
Professional Ethics 20 Points
Cultural Competence 20 Points
Self-Awareness 10 Points
Total 100 Points
Peer Review Group Report
Peer review is a core academic activity in which colleagues support one another’s professional
development by offering feedback on each other’s scholarly work. Working in small groups,
students will provide classmates with feedback on one assignment addressing the following
questions:
1) What did we appreciate about one another’s work?
2) What did we find challenging about one another’s work?
3) What changes did we recommend to improve one another’s work?
Students will report on their learning in the form of a traditional 3 – 4 page, Ace homework tutors – APA paper or in an
alternative format such as blogging, podcasts, Wikis, expressive arts etc.
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~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading Criteria Grade Points
Organization and Coherence 10 Points
Evidence and Support 20 Points
Analysis and use of Course Concepts 20 Points
Evaluating Information 20 Points
Self-reflection 20 Points
Ace homework tutors – APA 10 Points
Total 100 Points
Assessment and Intervention Presentation/Project
Working in small groups, students will present one theoretical perspective used for assessment
and treatment in family therapy. The presentation will introduce central themes and concepts
related to the theory chosen. Each group will also present a video or in-class role-play
demonstrating the application of the theory in the form of a simulated family therapy
intervention. Students will facilitate a class discussion to critically examine the therapeutic
perspectives explored.
Students are encouraged to explore a range of presentation modalities including Powerpoint
slides, spoken word poetry, dramatic skits, animation, monologues, videos, storytelling, music,
dance, improv, collage, scrapbooking, story boarding, sculpture, quilting, papier-mâché,
mandalas, painting, drawing, puppetry etc.

~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading Criteria Grade Points
Organization and Coherence 10 Points
Diversity & Collaboration 20 Points
Analysis and use of Course Concepts 20 Points
Professional Ethics 20 Points
Cultural Competence 20 Points
Oral Presentation 10 Points
Total 100 Points
Assessment and Intervention Paper
This is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to apply your developing knowledge of family
therapy models to a specific clinical example (which will be provided to you). According to Bloom’s
taxonomy, the application is a higher-order cognitive function in that it demonstrates a student’s
ability to move beyond theory and employ acquired principles in a particular situation. In this
project, you will demonstrate that you possess a solid understanding of at least two family therapy
paradigms and the ability to critically evaluate their relative merits.
You will select a particular family therapy approach to be applied to the case example. Within the
parameters of this selected paradigm, you will assess the case example from a systemic
perspective. Utilizing categories appropriate to your chosen model, you will develop a
comprehensive assessment of the individual/family. This assessment will facilitate your
developing an explanatory hypothesis for the particular difficulty manifested. Having completed
your assessment and developed an explanatory hypothesis, you will then proceed to develop an
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intervention. Operating within the constraints of your chosen model of family systems therapy,
you will develop a treatment plan that is appropriate to this client and situation.
In this project, you will be using systemic language. Do not merely name a problem or an
intervention. Rather, give examples (such as “Triangulation occurs in the family when…” or “I
would encourage an enactment by having the son speak directly to his father,” etc.).
The result will be a 10 to 12-page double-spaced paper (exclusive of title page, genogram and
references) that includes appropriate references and citations in accordance with Ace homework tutors – APA guidelines.

~ Hire our professional writers now and experience the best assignment help online with our custom paper writing service. We ensure your essays and assignments are expertly researched, written and delivered on time. ~ Grading Criteria Grade Points
Organization and Coherence 10 Points
Evidence and Support 20 Points
Analysis and use of Course Concepts 20 Points
Professional Ethics 20 Points
Cultural Competence 20 Points
Ace homework tutors – APA 10 Points
Total 100 Points
Course Policies
Late Assignments
Graduate students are expected to submit all assignments by the due dates stated in the
syllabus. A late assignment is one that is submitted after the due date and time or after any
extension has expired.
If circumstances prevent a student from meeting the due date, students should contact the
instructor and request an extension at least 48 hours prior to the date the assignment is due.
Emergency situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Being busy, pressured with
outside work, or having competing academic commitments are not usually considered valid
reasons to receive extensions.
A student who receives an extension in advance of the due date and abides by the agreement
with the instructor is not subject to late penalties. The guideline for late penalties is a deduction
of one point per day from the overall grade for the first 10 days and 5 points per day after 10
days. Instructors may vary these guidelines in response to the specific conditions and
requirements of each course. In the absence of an alternative announced by the Instructor the
default policy is the general guideline cited above. Assignments may be re-written only with the
express consent of the Instructor and under exceptional circumstances.
Participation
All MC courses encourage active engagement in discussion, dialogue, role plays and similar
exercises in order to receive the maximum educational benefits. Participation includes
constructive criticism and the negotiation of different perspectives and ideas. Recognizing that
there are many forms of participation a range of forms and styles are welcomed. Active
engagement means being attentive. Similarly, it is recognized that there are situations in which
learning to hold one’s counselor to not participate verbally are valuable learning experiences.
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Consistent attendance and a willingness to be actively involved in classroom discussions, small
group activities, and at times classroom presentations or role plays assists in creating a vibrant
learning community.
Many MC courses include a participation component and, in some cases, assignments specify
that participation will be graded. In such cases the criteria for participation will be made known
along with the requirements for grade achievement.
Professional Writing
Assignments require error-free writing that uses standard English conventions and logical flow
of organization to address topics clearly, completely, and concisely. CityU requires the use of
Ace homework tutors – APA style.
University Policies
Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to all of CityU’s academic policies.
The most current versions of these policies can be found in the University Catalog that is linked
from the CityU Web site.
Non-Discrimination & Prohibition of Sexual Misconduct
City University of Seattle, its staff and its faculty are deeply committed to supporting our
students. We value equity, diversity, and inclusion as a way of life as well as for the educational
opportunities it provides. CityU will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, socioeconomic status, or religious values.
Any student who has experienced discrimination based on the above criteria is encouraged to
report this to the University. Students may report an experience of discrimination to their course
instructor. If they do not feel safe reporting to their instructor, students may report an experience
of discrimination directly to the university Provost or the Vice President of Student Affairs.
CityU adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in
employment and education. The University is committed to ensuring that the education
environment is bounded by standards of mutual respect and safety and is free from
discriminatory practices.
In the U.S., the University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to
ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of
sex/gender. Sex include sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual
orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and
domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title
IX and by CityU policy. CityU also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing
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discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or
external to the institution. Questions regarding Title IX, including its application and/or concerns
about noncompliance, should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the
policy or for more information, visit https://my.cityu.edu/titleix or contact the Title IX Coordinator.
In Canada, in compliance with the British Columbia Human Rights Code, the Alberta Human
Rights Act, WorksafeBC, and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta, the University
believes that its environment should at all times be supportive and respectful of the dignity and
self-esteem of individuals. Discrimination, harassment and bullying conduct, whether through
person to person behaviour or via electronic communications such as email or social media is
not acceptable and will not be tolerated. As an educational institution, it is our responsibility to
cultivate an environment of excellence, equity, mutual respect and to recognize the value and
potential of every individual. The University will take all necessary steps to meet or exceed the
requirements of the law to prevent discrimination, harassment and bullying. The Respectful
Workplace Policy for the prevention of discrimination, harassment and bullying policy and
procedure can be found at https://www.cityu.edu/discover-cityu/about-cityu/ under the Policies
section or at https://www.cityuniversity.ca/about/.
Religious Accommodations
CityU has a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to
reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The University’s policy,
including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available in the
University Catalog and on the my.cityu.edu student portal. Accommodations must be requested
by the 20% mark of this course (e.g. day 14 of a ten-week course, day 7 of a 5-week course)
using the Religious Accommodations Request Form found on the student dashboard in the
my.cityu.edu student portal.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity in students requires the pursuit of scholarly activity that is free from fraud,
deception and unauthorized collaboration with other individuals. Students are responsible for
understanding CityU’s policy on academic integrity and adhering to its standards in meeting all
course requirements. A complete copy of this policy can be found in the University Catalog
under Student Rights and Responsibilities on the page titled Academic Integrity Policy.
Attendance
Students taking courses in any format at the University are expected to be diligent in their
studies and attend class regularly. Regular class attendance/contact is important in achieving
learning outcomes in the course and correlates in many cases with participation. As such it may
be a valid consideration in determining the final grade. At the beginning of each course, the
instructor will inform students of the relevance of class attendance/contact to the final grade.
Attendance in this class is vital to learning the required course material and demonstrates
professionalism and respect for fellow students and the instructor. All students are required to
attend every class for the full duration of the class. Arriving late or leaving early will constitute an
unexcused absence. It is expected that students who will not be attending or who will be arriving
late notify the instructor before class starts.
Excused absences are limited to ILLNESS OR EMERGENCY. Absences related to illness may
require verification from a medical doctor. All other absences will be considered unexcused.
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In the event of inclement weather, students will be notified by a CityU representative and / or
faculty of site closures. As student and faculty safety is a priority, students who feel that driving
conditions are unsafe will be permitted an excused absence without penalty. Students are
responsible for notifying the instructor before class starts that they will not be attending class
due to inclement weather.
Students with more than 2 unexcused absences will be directed to meet with the local Program
Director to discuss continued participation in the course. 3% of students’ overall course grade
will be deducted for each unexcused absence.
A complete copy of CityU’s policy can be found in the University Catalog under Student Rights
and Responsibilities on the page titled Attendance.
Final Assignment Due Date
Final assignments for each class at CityU must be due on or before the final date of the course
as indicated in the university’s course information system. Due dates that extend beyond the
final date of the course may negatively impact tuition funding for students.
Support Services
Disability Services Accommodations Statement
Students with a documented disability who wish to request academic accommodations are
encouraged to contact Disability Support Services to discuss accommodation requests and
eligibility requirements. I need help writing my essay – research paper contact Disability Support Services at [email protected] or
206.239.4752 or visit the Disability Support Services page in the my.cityu.edu portal.
Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries. Once approved, information about academic
accommodations will be shared with course instructors.
Library Services
CityU librarians are available to help students find the resources and information they need to
succeed in this course. Contact a CityU librarian through the Ask a Librarian service, or access
library resources and services online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Smarthinking Tutoring
CityU students have 24/7 access to free online tutoring offered through Smarthinking, including
writing support from certified tutors. Contact CityU’s Student Support Center at
[email protected] to request a username and password.
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Master of Counselling’s Professional Code (2.0)
In addition to City University’s general student code of conduct located in the Registrar’s City U
Calendar, counselling students are further expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is
consistent with the core values of the profession they are entering. Students will be encouraged
to adopt the following behaviours and are accountable to their peers, faculty, and CityU to
sincerely undertake the development of these hallmarks of maturity:
1. Respect the dignity of classmates, faculty, and administrators without prejudice in all forms of
behaviour and communication in matters of race, religion, skin colour, ethnicity, gender,
orientation, physical presentation, age, ancestry or birthplace. This includes, but is not limited to,
standing up against and/or reporting behaviours such as bullying, scapegoating, gossip, slander
etc.
2. Maintain a positive approach to managing course-related, administrative, or relationship
challenges in line with the core values of the profession. This includes, but is not limited to,
directly approaching specific individuals regarding concerns of note and attempting to
collaborate and independently problem-solve prior to involving faculty or administrators in the
matter. Students who feel unable to independently resolve the issue should seek the support of
cohort representatives, faculty, or staff.
3. Demonstrate exemplary personal conduct consistent with the values of the profession
including integrity, accountability, reflexivity, generosity, compassion, inclusiveness, honesty,
courage, maturity, thoughtfulness, good judgment, patience, and fairness. Demonstrate a
commitment to modelling the standards and ethics of the counselling profession in all aspects of
personal conduct in both the university and community at large.
4. Access City University’s campuses or resources ONLY with approval from an authorized
representative of the university.
5. Recognize that students with formal academic accommodations are expected to meet the
same academic standards as their peers with the help of additional supports and reasonable,
penalty free extensions.
6. Recognize that consistent face-to-face and online class attendance is a basic, non-negotiable
requirement of the program and that the program’s attendance policies will be enforced without
exception. Students who are absent for any reason are required to make up all instructional
hours and assignments at the discretion of the instructor.
7. Ensure that all requests for assignment extensions (with and without accommodations) are
submitted to faculty a minimum of48 hours in advance of the assignment due date. Extensions
may not be granted after assignment due dates have passed.
8. Respect and behave in accordance with the appropriate professional boundaries inherent in
faculty, administrative, and evaluative roles.
9. As an ambassador for the City University program, conduct themselves in a manner that
strengthens the reputation of the profession, one’s peers, and the program.
10. Actively develop and practice the core counselling skills of attunement, presence, and
empathy in all program-related interpersonal interactions.
11. Respond to feedback from faculty and administrators in ways that facilitate personal growth,
preserve our collaborative learning environment, and reflect the standards of the counselling
profession.
12. Balance enthusiastic contributions to classroom discussion with ensuring there is sufficient
space for all voices to be heard. This involves actively staying aware of the dynamics of class
discussions and actively encouraging everyone’s participation.
13. Commit to active course participation that contributes to one’s own and others learning.
14. Embrace both positive and challenging academic learning opportunities and consider how
these experiences can be applied in the service of personal and professional growth.

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