Family of Origin Workshop

1-2 Days (or 4-5 Days if Part II is taken at the same time)

Why have your staff members participate in the Family of Origin course?

Ingrained in each of us are intergenerational patterns and unresolved issues taught by and passed down through one’s family of origin. Without awareness of how these family-of-originrelationships shape oneself, these patterns play out subconsciously in adult relationships. As Interventionists and counselors, an understanding of one’s own family-of-origin can be an invaluable tool – particularly when our patterns match those of the families we serve. By learning to identify one’s own patterns and how to capitalize on family strengths, rather than our vulnerabilities, we can better avoid getting caught by a client’s family patterns.

What can you expect at the workshop?

This course is an intensive, experiential, small-group training. The focus will be on strengthening the skills necessary for understanding the inter-generational patterns, traits, unspoken and spoken rules, stories,relationship dynamics, vulnerabilities and strengths that come from one’s family-of-origin, as well as that of clients’ families. This workshop will build on the following beliefs:

• Families are intrinsically healthy;
• Every family has both strengths and vulnerabilities;
• Symptomatic behavior has its origins in protection;
• Families are in constant transition and uncompleted life cycle transitions repeat themselves in families unless understood on a conscious level and resolved.

Workshop techniques

Both didactic and experiential exercises will by used in the workshop. Recommended reading lists will be provided prior to the workshop and referenced in the didactic presentations. Experiential exercises will include: role-plays, psychodrama, sculpting, group work and guided meditations. Participants will be encouraged to risk only insofar as they feel safe during the exercises. Additional work in therapy to address issues raised by these experiences may be necessary. Each workshop participant takes responsibility to follow up as needed for their own emotional well-being and for the sake of future Intervention work with families.

This course is divided into 2 components that can be taken sequentially or at separate times

Part I:

• Learning how to use the genogram for understanding intergenerational patterns and identifying strengths and vulnerabilities
• Working on staff member’s own family of origin

Part II:

• Finding matching patterns, strengths and vulnerabilities in staff member’s own family and a family or situation that challenges them