{"title":"Challenging the Belief System Behind Enmeshment","authors":"L. Williams, William J. Hiebert","doi":"10.1300/J182v01n02_02","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Enmeshment is a term used by structural family therapists to describe families with extremely diffuse boundaries where autonomy is compromised. In therapy, clients who have grown up with diffuse boundaries often present complaints about depression, burnout, anger or resentment. This article presents a treatment model that identifies three important steps when working with clients who have experienced enmeshed family structures. First, the article suggests that therapists educate clients on enmeshment, as well as its opposite extreme, disengagement. The second objective is to determine a healthy middle ground between enmeshment and disengagement. The third objective is to help clients conceptualize guilt and apply appropriate tools for dealing with it. The treatment plan can be used with both individuals and couples.","PeriodicalId":184669,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments & Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2001-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments & Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1300/J182v01n02_02","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
Abstract Enmeshment is a term used by structural family therapists to describe families with extremely diffuse boundaries where autonomy is compromised. In therapy, clients who have grown up with diffuse boundaries often present complaints about depression, burnout, anger or resentment. This article presents a treatment model that identifies three important steps when working with clients who have experienced enmeshed family structures. First, the article suggests that therapists educate clients on enmeshment, as well as its opposite extreme, disengagement. The second objective is to determine a healthy middle ground between enmeshment and disengagement. The third objective is to help clients conceptualize guilt and apply appropriate tools for dealing with it. The treatment plan can be used with both individuals and couples.