MMFT 667 Systemic Diagnosis and Treatment

This course provides an advanced study of systemic assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning in marriage and family therapy. Emphasis is placed on clinical decision-making, treatment planning, and evidence-based systemic interventions. Students will develop skills in case conceptualization, relational diagnosis, and the integration of ethical and faith-based considerations in systemic treatment. Special attention is given to the impact of crisis, trauma, addiction, and cultural factors in systemic case formulation and intervention strategies.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

A systemic approach to assessment and diagnosis is fundamental in Marriage and Family Therapy. This course ensures the student is trained in diagnostic models, treatment planning, and evidence-based interventions while maintaining a relational and biopsychosocial focus. By incorporating cultural, ethical, and faith-based considerations, the student is equipped to provide comprehensive, client-centered care.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 scholarly references in APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words and include at least 2 scholarly references in APA format. (CLO: A, B, E, L)

Journal Article Review Assignment

The student will select an article from a provided list of peer-reviewed journal articles, or select a different article with instructor approval. The student will then write a 3–5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on case conceptualization, clinical assessment, and/or treatment planning in marriage and family therapy. The Journal Article Review Assignment will have 3 Level 1 Heading sections: Summary, Interaction, and Application. An introduction paragraph is required. A title page and reference page are required and are not included in the page count. (CLO: E, H, I, K)

Movie Case Study Assignment

The student will watch a movie selected from the list below and work with the information as though addressing the main couple/family in the movie for the first time. The student will develop a case conceptualization based on 1 of the theoretical models presented in their course material for the main couple/family, utilizing one of the provided case conceptualization forms. The completed assignment should be 6 – 8 pages, not including the title page. (CLO: C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L)

The Blind: The true story of the Robertson family (2023) Family dynamic: Family of origin with single parent household, mental illness and poverty; years later the oldest child struggles with those dynamics in his own immediate family. Focus: Anger, depression, substance abuse, couple conflict and separation, Christ in healing families

The Incredibles (2004) Family dynamic: Nuclear family with unique challenges Focus: Family roles, communication, conflict management in a superhero family, stage of family development issues.

The Farewell (2019) Family dynamic: Multigenerational family’s cultural differences (Chinese compared to Chinese-American) Focus: Intergenerational relationships, cultural expectations, and family secrets.

Rabbit Hole (2010) Family dynamic: marital relationship after loss of a child Focus: grief and loss, marriage, extended family influence

Big George foreman (2023) Family dynamic: Family of origin with single parent household and poverty, extended family influence, African-American family in the South; years later George struggles with those dynamics in his life. Focus: Anger, Christ in change and resilience, divorce and remarriage, family cohesion, marital communication

Therapy Session Case Study Assignment

The student will watch a brief therapy session clip to discover the family issue for the assignment. The student will develop a case conceptualization based on 1 of the theoretical models presented in their course material for the son Galen, keeping in mind the family dynamics. The student will utilize the respective case conceptualization form in completing their assignment. The completed assignment should be 6 – 8 pages, not including the title page, and should utilize at least 4 sources cited in current APA format. (CLO: E, H, I, K, L)

Quiz: Midterm

The midterm quiz will cover Chapters 1-10 of the Gehart text. The midterm quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 45 multiple-choice questions, allow for 1 attempt, and have a time limit of 1-hour and 30-minutes. (CLO: A, B, D, E, H, J)

Quiz: Final

The final quiz will cover the Learn material from Chapters 11-17 of the Gehart text. The final quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 50 multiple-choice questions, allow for 1 attempt, and have a time limit of 1-hour and 30-minutes. (CLO: A, B, D, E, H, J)

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

The student will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 60 minutes. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.