Assignment Prompt & Instructions
**files (2)**
– ## NUR640WeeklyDis1-7.pdf
– ## NUR640WK5disreponse.pdf
**## NUR640WeeklyDis1-7.pdf**
NUR 640 Weekly Discussion
FYI Remember… I am a Black Haitian American Female live in USA, FL
Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current
APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is
worth 8 points.
Week 1: The PMHNP as a Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is often misunderstood or devalued.
• Discuss your views of the PMHNP as a psychotherapist
• Discuss whether it is feasible to provide psychotherapy at each patient
encounter
Week2: Dream Interpretation
Freud viewed dreams as the “royal road to the unconscious.”
• Discuss a memorable dream from your childhood. Provide as much detail about
the dream as possible.
• Interpret the dream of two peers using the psychodynamic dream of Freud or
Jung
Week 3: Genogram
A genogram is often used to illustrate the behaviors of a family unit across generations.
The genogram can be used to reduce resistance to harmful family patterns.
• Recall a family with a member who has a history of drug or alcohol dependence.
• Describe how the genogram can be used to address the denial of family unit
addiction to individual family members.
Week 4: Automatic Thoughts
Patients are often asked to write their record their negative thoughts as homework for
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session.
• Explain how difficult this task might be for depressed patients?
• Identify your culture and ethnicity. Describe how negative thoughts are
perceived in your culture.
• Discuss ways you could increase the likelihood that a depressed patient
completes the Automatic Thoughts Download Automatic Thoughts
assignment.
Week 5: The Culture of Family Violence
Identify your culture and how it address family violence.
• In your opinion, what is the best way for a family therapist to bring up the issues
of abuse and violence in a family when those are not the problems that family
members have identified?
Week 6: Grief
A 75-year-old widower walks into your practice to request therapy services. He has
grieved the loss of his wife for the last 28 months; they were married 50 years.
• Explain the significance of interpersonal deficit as it relates to interpersonal
therapy
• Describe how you would ask “very good” questions to facilitate the patient’s
ability to see their own experiences.
Week 7: The Therapist’s Personality
According to Carl Rogers, unconditional positive regard involves basic acceptance and
support of a person, regardless of what the person says or does. The therapist gives
space for the client to express whatever immediate feeling is going on—confusion,
resentment, fear, anger, courage, love, or pride.
• Discuss the role of the therapist’s personality in person-centered psychotherapy.
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1)
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1)
• Are there particular people who have been or would be especially difficult for
you to unconditionally positively regard?
**## NUR640WK5disreponse.pdf**
Reply from Geslande Dessalines
Culture and family violence
Family violence is understood and addressed very differently across cultures, and my
cultural background as a Haitian American strongly shapes how I interpret family roles,
authority, and conflict. In many Haitian households, the father figure is traditionally viewed as
the dominant authority and overarching protector of the family. He is often responsible for
maintaining order, discipline, and safety within the home. When conflict or violence occurs, the
expectation is frequently that the father will intervene, de-escalate, or discipline as needed. This
dynamic can make it difficult to distinguish between culturally sanctioned discipline, inter-
sibling conflict, and behavior that crosses into abuse. As a result, family violence may not be
openly named as a problem, especially if it aligns with traditional gender roles, particularly
between male children, or parental authority structures.
From a clinical perspective, this cultural framework presents both challenges and
opportunities for family therapists. According to Corey (2023), effective family therapy requires
clinicians to approach families with cultural humility, recognizing that values around authority,
discipline, and protection are deeply embedded and often unquestioned. When abuse or violence
is not identified by family members as a presenting concern, directly confronting it too early or
without cultural sensitivity can lead to resistance, rupture, or premature termination of therapy.
In my opinion, the most effective way for a family therapist to bring up issues of abuse or
violence in such situations is through a gradual, relational, and context-informed approach.
Rather than labeling behaviors as “abusive” from the outset, therapists can begin by exploring
family roles, communication patterns, and definitions of safety and protection. Wheeler (2020)
emphasizes that advanced practice clinicians must assess for violence continuously and subtly,
especially in cultures where hierarchical family structures normalize certain aggressive
behaviors. Asking open-ended questions such as, “How does your family handle conflict when
emotions run high?” or “What does discipline look like in your household?” allows the therapist
to gather critical information without immediately triggering defensiveness.
Another key strategy involves reframing the conversation around shared values. In Haitian
culture, protecting the family and maintaining respect are central values. A therapist can align
concerns about violence with these values by framing safety as an extension of protection rather
than a critique of authority. For example, discussing how fear or physical harm can undermine
respect and long-term family cohesion can open space for reflection. Corey (2023) notes that
reframing is especially powerful in family systems therapy because it allows families to view
problematic patterns through a new, less threatening lens.
Psychoeducation is also essential but must be delivered thoughtfully. Research suggests
that families are more receptive to discussions of violence when therapists normalize stress
responses and explain the impact of aggression on emotional regulation and relational trust
(Douglas & Walsh, 2021). Instead of focusing on blame, therapists can highlight how chronic
exposure to conflict affects children’s mental health, attachment, and coping skills over time.
This approach is consistent with trauma-informed care, which prioritizes safety, empowerment,
and collaboration (Wheeler, 2020).
Importantly, therapists must remain attentive to ethical and legal obligations, particularly
when violence poses immediate risk. However, even mandated reporting can be handled in a
culturally responsive manner by being transparent, supportive, and respectful of the family’s
dignity. Studies show that when therapists clearly explain their role and responsibilities while
maintaining empathy, families are more likely to stay engaged in treatment (Fontes & Plummer,
2022).
In conclusion, addressing abuse and violence in families that have not identified these
issues requires patience, cultural humility, and clinical skill. For Haitian American families,
acknowledging the father’s role as protector while gently challenging harmful expressions of
authority can foster meaningful dialogue. By using open-ended assessment, value-based
reframing, and trauma-informed psychoeducation, family therapists can bring hidden issues of
violence into the therapeutic space in a way that promotes safety, insight, and long-term change.
Reply Alejandro Llanes
Module 5 Discussion
Like all assumptions about family violence, mine are culture-bound. The US dominant
culture encourages a preoccupation with autonomy, family privacy, and individual and collective
resilience. Families subscribing to these principles tend to have low tolerances for violence, view
it as normal and minimal, or otherwise frame it as conflict. Secrecy in the family and the
avoidance of wider community involvement are valued. Victims may remain silent about abuse
due to a desire to protect the family from shame, fear of legal or child protective services
involvement, financial dependency, fear of stigma. Nevertheless, most cultures also stress safe,
respectful, and nurturing treatment of family members, which creates a tension between ensuring
the family remains intact, and protecting the victim.
Culture does not appear to cause family violence, but influences how violence is
interpreted, responded to, and represented. For example, gender roles, authority, spirituality, and
hierarchy may determine the power relationships in families, or who can speak up. Thus, family
therapists should discuss the topic with cultural humility and without assumption. Trauma- and
violence-informed care requires understanding the stigma, social barriers, and cultural context
for a particular family in regard to their response to violence in the home. This allows for safety,
empowerment and mutuality to be prioritized, understanding that past harm can influence
whether individuals disclose to the system (Wathen & Mantler, 2022).
If violence is not identified as the presenting problem, it is best to ask about it routinely
and in a nonjudgmental way. Therapists can explain that they ask all families about conflict and
safety because stress in relationships can affect mental and physical health. This universal
framing reduces stigma, normalizes the experience, and communicates that the therapist is
available to help if the concern changes. It relieves the family of the responsibility for deciding
whether or not their experience was "serious enough" to talk about.
Brief opportunities should be provided for one-on-one contact with individual family
members alone, and therapists must discuss confidentiality and mandated reporting with the
family in a straightforward and forthright manner when asking sensitive questions. One of the
most common reasons for resistance is fear of the unknown, which transparency seeks to counter,
restoring a sense of control and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Violence questions can be worded to avoid using labels, asking about fear, physical harm,
threatening behavior, or controlling someone. These questions ease survivor determination or
identifying violence in ways that are meaningful to survivors. Screening should not be done in
isolation; it is recommended that screening for intimate partner violence be done in conjunction
with assessment, referral, and access to support services (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,
2025). Without follow-up resources, disclosure may worsen distress and not lead to feelings of
safety.
Clinicians should carefully consider the risks of situational couple violence and patterns of
coercive control and whether conjoint family therapy could aggravate the risks of intimidation,
severe violence and chronic fear. In those cases, safety planning, individual advocacy and
coordination with community resources may be ethically warranted. Other cultural support
systems, such as extended family and faith communities, should only be included with survivor
consent and as a means to improve safety, not silence.
**## NUR640WK5disreponse.pdf**
Reply from Geslande Dessalines
Culture and family violence
Family violence is understood and addressed very differently across cultures, and my
cultural background as a Haitian American strongly shapes how I interpret family roles,
authority, and conflict. In many Haitian households, the father figure is traditionally viewed as
the dominant authority and overarching protector of the family. He is often responsible for
maintaining order, discipline, and safety within the home. When conflict or violence occurs, the
expectation is frequently that the father will intervene, de-escalate, or discipline as needed. This
dynamic can make it difficult to distinguish between culturally sanctioned discipline, inter-
sibling conflict, and behavior that crosses into abuse. As a result, family violence may not be
openly named as a problem, especially if it aligns with traditional gender roles, particularly
between male children, or parental authority structures.
From a clinical perspective, this cultural framework presents both challenges and
opportunities for family therapists. According to Corey (2023), effective family therapy requires
clinicians to approach families with cultural humility, recognizing that values around authority,
discipline, and protection are deeply embedded and often unquestioned. When abuse or violence
is not identified by family members as a presenting concern, directly confronting it too early or
without cultural sensitivity can lead to resistance, rupture, or premature termination of therapy.
In my opinion, the most effective way for a family therapist to bring up issues of abuse or
violence in such situations is through a gradual, relational, and context-informed approach.
Rather than labeling behaviors as “abusive” from the outset, therapists can begin by exploring
family roles, communication patterns, and definitions of safety and protection. Wheeler (2020)
emphasizes that advanced practice clinicians must assess for violence continuously and subtly,
especially in cultures where hierarchical family structures normalize certain aggressive
behaviors. Asking open-ended questions such as, “How does your family handle conflict when
emotions run high?” or “What does discipline look like in your household?” allows the therapist
to gather critical information without immediately triggering defensiveness.
Another key strategy involves reframing the conversation around shared values. In Haitian
culture, protecting the family and maintaining respect are central values. A therapist can align
concerns about violence with these values by framing safety as an extension of protection rather
than a critique of authority. For example, discussing how fear or physical harm can undermine
respect and long-term family cohesion can open space for reflection. Corey (2023) notes that
reframing is especially powerful in family systems therapy because it allows families to view
problematic patterns through a new, less threatening lens.
Psychoeducation is also essential but must be delivered thoughtfully. Research suggests
that families are more receptive to discussions of violence when therapists normalize stress
responses and explain the impact of aggression on emotional regulation and relational trust
(Douglas & Walsh, 2021). Instead of focusing on blame, therapists can highlight how chronic
exposure to conflict affects children’s mental health, attachment, and coping skills over time.
This approach is consistent with trauma-informed care, which prioritizes safety, empowerment,
and collaboration (Wheeler, 2020).
Importantly, therapists must remain attentive to ethical and legal obligations, particularly
when violence poses immediate risk. However, even mandated reporting can be handled in a
culturally responsive manner by being transparent, supportive, and respectful of the family’s
dignity. Studies show that when therapists clearly explain their role and responsibilities while
maintaining empathy, families are more likely to stay engaged in treatment (Fontes & Plummer,
2022).
In conclusion, addressing abuse and violence in families that have not identified these
issues requires patience, cultural humility, and clinical skill. For Haitian American families,
acknowledging the father’s role as protector while gently challenging harmful expressions of
authority can foster meaningful dialogue. By using open-ended assessment, value-based
reframing, and trauma-informed psychoeducation, family therapists can bring hidden issues of
violence into the therapeutic space in a way that promotes safety, insight, and long-term change.
Reply Alejandro Llanes
Module 5 Discussion
Like all assumptions about family violence, mine are culture-bound. The US dominant
culture encourages a preoccupation with autonomy, family privacy, and individual and collective
resilience. Families subscribing to these principles tend to have low tolerances for violence, view
it as normal and minimal, or otherwise frame it as conflict. Secrecy in the family and the
avoidance of wider community involvement are valued. Victims may remain silent about abuse
due to a desire to protect the family from shame, fear of legal or child protective services
involvement, financial dependency, fear of stigma. Nevertheless, most cultures also stress safe,
respectful, and nurturing treatment of family members, which creates a tension between ensuring
the family remains intact, and protecting the victim.
Culture does not appear to cause family violence, but influences how violence is
interpreted, responded to, and represented. For example, gender roles, authority, spirituality, and
hierarchy may determine the power relationships in families, or who can speak up. Thus, family
therapists should discuss the topic with cultural humility and without assumption. Trauma- and
violence-informed care requires understanding the stigma, social barriers, and cultural context
for a particular family in regard to their response to violence in the home. This allows for safety,
empowerment and mutuality to be prioritized, understanding that past harm can influence
whether individuals disclose to the system (Wathen & Mantler, 2022).
If violence is not identified as the presenting problem, it is best to ask about it routinely
and in a nonjudgmental way. Therapists can explain that they ask all families about conflict and
safety because stress in relationships can affect mental and physical health. This universal
framing reduces stigma, normalizes the experience, and communicates that the therapist is
available to help if the concern changes. It relieves the family of the responsibility for deciding
whether or not their experience was "serious enough" to talk about.
Brief opportunities should be provided for one-on-one contact with individual family
members alone, and therapists must discuss confidentiality and mandated reporting with the
family in a straightforward and forthright manner when asking sensitive questions. One of the
most common reasons for resistance is fear of the unknown, which transparency seeks to counter,
restoring a sense of control and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Violence questions can be worded to avoid using labels, asking about fear, physical harm,
threatening behavior, or controlling someone. These questions ease survivor determination or
identifying violence in ways that are meaningful to survivors. Screening should not be done in
isolation; it is recommended that screening for intimate partner violence be done in conjunction
with assessment, referral, and access to support services (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,
2025). Without follow-up resources, disclosure may worsen distress and not lead to feelings of
safety.
Clinicians should carefully consider the risks of situational couple violence and patterns of
coercive control and whether conjoint family therapy could aggravate the risks of intimidation,
severe violence and chronic fear. In those cases, safety planning, individual advocacy and
coordination with community resources may be ethically warranted. Other cultural support
systems, such as extended family and faith communities, should only be included with survivor
consent and as a means to improve safety, not silence.
**## NUR640WeeklyDis1-7.pdf**
NUR 640 Weekly Discussion
FYI Remember… I am a Black Haitian American Female live in USA, FL
Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current
APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is
worth 8 points.
Week 1: The PMHNP as a Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is often misunderstood or devalued.
• Discuss your views of the PMHNP as a psychotherapist
• Discuss whether it is feasible to provide psychotherapy at each patient
encounter
Week2: Dream Interpretation
Freud viewed dreams as the “royal road to the unconscious.”
• Discuss a memorable dream from your childhood. Provide as much detail about
the dream as possible.
• Interpret the dream of two peers using the psychodynamic dream of Freud or
Jung
Week 3: Genogram
A genogram is often used to illustrate the behaviors of a family unit across generations.
The genogram can be used to reduce resistance to harmful family patterns.
• Recall a family with a member who has a history of drug or alcohol dependence.
• Describe how the genogram can be used to address the denial of family unit
addiction to individual family members.
Week 4: Automatic Thoughts
Patients are often asked to write their record their negative thoughts as homework for
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session.
• Explain how difficult this task might be for depressed patients?
• Identify your culture and ethnicity. Describe how negative thoughts are
perceived in your culture.
• Discuss ways you could increase the likelihood that a depressed patient
completes the Automatic Thoughts Download Automatic Thoughts
assignment.
Week 5: The Culture of Family Violence
Identify your culture and how it address family violence.
• In your opinion, what is the best way for a family therapist to bring up the issues
of abuse and violence in a family when those are not the problems that family
members have identified?
Week 6: Grief
A 75-year-old widower walks into your practice to request therapy services. He has
grieved the loss of his wife for the last 28 months; they were married 50 years.
• Explain the significance of interpersonal deficit as it relates to interpersonal
therapy
• Describe how you would ask “very good” questions to facilitate the patient’s
ability to see their own experiences.
Week 7: The Therapist’s Personality
According to Carl Rogers, unconditional positive regard involves basic acceptance and
support of a person, regardless of what the person says or does. The therapist gives
space for the client to express whatever immediate feeling is going on—confusion,
resentment, fear, anger, courage, love, or pride.
• Discuss the role of the therapist’s personality in person-centered psychotherapy.
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1)
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1)
• Are there particular people who have been or would be especially difficult for
you to unconditionally positively regard?
**## NUR640WK5disreponse.pdf**
Reply from Geslande Dessalines
Culture and family violence
Family violence is understood and addressed very differently across cultures, and my
cultural background as a Haitian American strongly shapes how I interpret family roles,
authority, and conflict. In many Haitian households, the father figure is traditionally viewed as
the dominant authority and overarching protector of the family. He is often responsible for
maintaining order, discipline, and safety within the home. When conflict or violence occurs, the
expectation is frequently that the father will intervene, de-escalate, or discipline as needed. This
dynamic can make it difficult to distinguish between culturally sanctioned discipline, inter-
sibling conflict, and behavior that crosses into abuse. As a result, family violence may not be
openly named as a problem, especially if it aligns with traditional gender roles, particularly
between male children, or parental authority structures.
From a clinical perspective, this cultural framework presents both challenges and
opportunities for family therapists. According to Corey (2023), effective family therapy requires
clinicians to approach families with cultural humility, recognizing that values around authority,
discipline, and protection are deeply embedded and often unquestioned. When abuse or violence
is not identified by family members as a presenting concern, directly confronting it too early or
without cultural sensitivity can lead to resistance, rupture, or premature termination of therapy.
In my opinion, the most effective way for a family therapist to bring up issues of abuse or
violence in such situations is through a gradual, relational, and context-informed approach.
Rather than labeling behaviors as “abusive” from the outset, therapists can begin by exploring
family roles, communication patterns, and definitions of safety and protection. Wheeler (2020)
emphasizes that advanced practice clinicians must assess for violence continuously and subtly,
especially in cultures where hierarchical family structures normalize certain aggressive
behaviors. Asking open-ended questions such as, “How does your family handle conflict when
emotions run high?” or “What does discipline look like in your household?” allows the therapist
to gather critical information without immediately triggering defensiveness.
Another key strategy involves reframing the conversation around shared values. In Haitian
culture, protecting the family and maintaining respect are central values. A therapist can align
concerns about violence with these values by framing safety as an extension of protection rather
than a critique of authority. For example, discussing how fear or physical harm can undermine
respect and long-term family cohesion can open space for reflection. Corey (2023) notes that
reframing is especially powerful in family systems therapy because it allows families to view
problematic patterns through a new, less threatening lens.
Psychoeducation is also essential but must be delivered thoughtfully. Research suggests
that families are more receptive to discussions of violence when therapists normalize stress
responses and explain the impact of aggression on emotional regulation and relational trust
(Douglas & Walsh, 2021). Instead of focusing on blame, therapists can highlight how chronic
exposure to conflict affects children’s mental health, attachment, and coping skills over time.
This approach is consistent with trauma-informed care, which prioritizes safety, empowerment,
and collaboration (Wheeler, 2020).
Importantly, therapists must remain attentive to ethical and legal obligations, particularly
when violence poses immediate risk. However, even mandated reporting can be handled in a
culturally responsive manner by being transparent, supportive, and respectful of the family’s
dignity. Studies show that when therapists clearly explain their role and responsibilities while
maintaining empathy, families are more likely to stay engaged in treatment (Fontes & Plummer,
2022).
In conclusion, addressing abuse and violence in families that have not identified these
issues requires patience, cultural humility, and clinical skill. For Haitian American families,
acknowledging the father’s role as protector while gently challenging harmful expressions of
authority can foster meaningful dialogue. By using open-ended assessment, value-based
reframing, and trauma-informed psychoeducation, family therapists can bring hidden issues of
violence into the therapeutic space in a way that promotes safety, insight, and long-term change.
Reply Alejandro Llanes
Module 5 Discussion
Like all assumptions about family violence, mine are culture-bound. The US dominant
culture encourages a preoccupation with autonomy, family privacy, and individual and collective
resilience. Families subscribing to these principles tend to have low tolerances for violence, view
it as normal and minimal, or otherwise frame it as conflict. Secrecy in the family and the
avoidance of wider community involvement are valued. Victims may remain silent about abuse
due to a desire to protect the family from shame, fear of legal or child protective services
involvement, financial dependency, fear of stigma. Nevertheless, most cultures also stress safe,
respectful, and nurturing treatment of family members, which creates a tension between ensuring
the family remains intact, and protecting the victim.
Culture does not appear to cause family violence, but influences how violence is
interpreted, responded to, and represented. For example, gender roles, authority, spirituality, and
hierarchy may determine the power relationships in families, or who can speak up. Thus, family
therapists should discuss the topic with cultural humility and without assumption. Trauma- and
violence-informed care requires understanding the stigma, social barriers, and cultural context
for a particular family in regard to their response to violence in the home. This allows for safety,
empowerment and mutuality to be prioritized, understanding that past harm can influence
whether individuals disclose to the system (Wathen & Mantler, 2022).
If violence is not identified as the presenting problem, it is best to ask about it routinely
and in a nonjudgmental way. Therapists can explain that they ask all families about conflict and
safety because stress in relationships can affect mental and physical health. This universal
framing reduces stigma, normalizes the experience, and communicates that the therapist is
available to help if the concern changes. It relieves the family of the responsibility for deciding
whether or not their experience was "serious enough" to talk about.
Brief opportunities should be provided for one-on-one contact with individual family
members alone, and therapists must discuss confidentiality and mandated reporting with the
family in a straightforward and forthright manner when asking sensitive questions. One of the
most common reasons for resistance is fear of the unknown, which transparency seeks to counter,
restoring a sense of control and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Violence questions can be worded to avoid using labels, asking about fear, physical harm,
threatening behavior, or controlling someone. These questions ease survivor determination or
identifying violence in ways that are meaningful to survivors. Screening should not be done in
isolation; it is recommended that screening for intimate partner violence be done in conjunction
with assessment, referral, and access to support services (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,
2025). Without follow-up resources, disclosure may worsen distress and not lead to feelings of
safety.
Clinicians should carefully consider the risks of situational couple violence and patterns of
coercive control and whether conjoint family therapy could aggravate the risks of intimidation,
severe violence and chronic fear. In those cases, safety planning, individual advocacy and
coordination with community resources may be ethically warranted. Other cultural support
systems, such as extended family and faith communities, should only be included with survivor
consent and as a means to improve safety, not silence.
**## NUR640WeeklyDis1-7.pdf**
NUR 640 Weekly Discussion
FYI Remember… I am a Black Haitian American Female live in USA, FL
Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current
APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is
worth 8 points.
Week 1: The PMHNP as a Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is often misunderstood or devalued.
• Discuss your views of the PMHNP as a psychotherapist
• Discuss whether it is feasible to provide psychotherapy at each patient
encounter
Week2: Dream Interpretation
Freud viewed dreams as the “royal road to the unconscious.”
• Discuss a memorable dream from your childhood. Provide as much detail about
the dream as possible.
• Interpret the dream of two peers using the psychodynamic dream of Freud or
Jung
Week 3: Genogram
A genogram is often used to illustrate the behaviors of a family unit across generations.
The genogram can be used to reduce resistance to harmful family patterns.
• Recall a family with a member who has a history of drug or alcohol dependence.
• Describe how the genogram can be used to address the denial of family unit
addiction to individual family members.
Week 4: Automatic Thoughts
Patients are often asked to write their record their negative thoughts as homework for
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session.
• Explain how difficult this task might be for depressed patients?
• Identify your culture and ethnicity. Describe how negative thoughts are
perceived in your culture.
• Discuss ways you could increase the likelihood that a depressed patient
completes the Automatic Thoughts Download Automatic Thoughts
assignment.
Week 5: The Culture of Family Violence
Identify your culture and how it address family violence.
• In your opinion, what is the best way for a family therapist to bring up the issues
of abuse and violence in a family when those are not the problems that family
members have identified?
Week 6: Grief
A 75-year-old widower walks into your practice to request therapy services. He has
grieved the loss of his wife for the last 28 months; they were married 50 years.
• Explain the significance of interpersonal deficit as it relates to interpersonal
therapy
• Describe how you would ask “very good” questions to facilitate the patient’s
ability to see their own experiences.
Week 7: The Therapist’s Personality
According to Carl Rogers, unconditional positive regard involves basic acceptance and
support of a person, regardless of what the person says or does. The therapist gives
space for the client to express whatever immediate feeling is going on—confusion,
resentment, fear, anger, courage, love, or pride.
• Discuss the role of the therapist’s personality in person-centered psychotherapy.
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652?wrap=1)
[https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1](https://stu.instructure.com/courses/49953/files/4509652/download?download_frd=1)
• Are there particular people who have been or would be especially difficult for
you to unconditionally positively regard?
**## NUR640WK5disreponse.pdf**
Reply from Geslande Dessalines
Culture and family violence
Family violence is understood and addressed very differently across cultures, and my
cultural background as a Haitian American strongly shapes how I interpret family roles,
authority, and conflict. In many Haitian households, the father figure is traditionally viewed as
the dominant authority and overarching protector of the family. He is often responsible for
maintaining order, discipline, and safety within the home. When conflict or violence occurs, the
expectation is frequently that the father will intervene, de-escalate, or discipline as needed. This
dynamic can make it difficult to distinguish between culturally sanctioned discipline, inter-
sibling conflict, and behavior that crosses into abuse. As a result, family violence may not be
openly named as a problem, especially if it aligns with traditional gender roles, particularly
between male children, or parental authority structures.
From a clinical perspective, this cultural framework presents both challenges and
opportunities for family therapists. According to Corey (2023), effective family therapy requires
clinicians to approach families with cultural humility, recognizing that values around authority,
discipline, and protection are deeply embedded and often unquestioned. When abuse or violence
is not identified by family members as a presenting concern, directly confronting it too early or
without cultural sensitivity can lead to resistance, rupture, or premature termination of therapy.
In my opinion, the most effective way for a family therapist to bring up issues of abuse or
violence in such situations is through a gradual, relational, and context-informed approach.
Rather than labeling behaviors as “abusive” from the outset, therapists can begin by exploring
family roles, communication patterns, and definitions of safety and protection. Wheeler (2020)
emphasizes that advanced practice clinicians must assess for violence continuously and subtly,
especially in cultures where hierarchical family structures normalize certain aggressive
behaviors. Asking open-ended questions such as, “How does your family handle conflict when
emotions run high?” or “What does discipline look like in your household?” allows the therapist
to gather critical information without immediately triggering defensiveness.
Another key strategy involves reframing the conversation around shared values. In Haitian
culture, protecting the family and maintaining respect are central values. A therapist can align
concerns about violence with these values by framing safety as an extension of protection rather
than a critique of authority. For example, discussing how fear or physical harm can undermine
respect and long-term family cohesion can open space for reflection. Corey (2023) notes that
reframing is especially powerful in family systems therapy because it allows families to view
problematic patterns through a new, less threatening lens.
Psychoeducation is also essential but must be delivered thoughtfully. Research suggests
that families are more receptive to discussions of violence when therapists normalize stress
responses and explain the impact of aggression on emotional regulation and relational trust
(Douglas & Walsh, 2021). Instead of focusing on blame, therapists can highlight how chronic
exposure to conflict affects children’s mental health, attachment, and coping skills over time.
This approach is consistent with trauma-informed care, which prioritizes safety, empowerment,
and collaboration (Wheeler, 2020).
Importantly, therapists must remain attentive to ethical and legal obligations, particularly
when violence poses immediate risk. However, even mandated reporting can be handled in a
culturally responsive manner by being transparent, supportive, and respectful of the family’s
dignity. Studies show that when therapists clearly explain their role and responsibilities while
maintaining empathy, families are more likely to stay engaged in treatment (Fontes & Plummer,
2022).
In conclusion, addressing abuse and violence in families that have not identified these
issues requires patience, cultural humility, and clinical skill. For Haitian American families,
acknowledging the father’s role as protector while gently challenging harmful expressions of
authority can foster meaningful dialogue. By using open-ended assessment, value-based
reframing, and trauma-informed psychoeducation, family therapists can bring hidden issues of
violence into the therapeutic space in a way that promotes safety, insight, and long-term change.
Reply Alejandro Llanes
Module 5 Discussion
Like all assumptions about family violence, mine are culture-bound. The US dominant
culture encourages a preoccupation with autonomy, family privacy, and individual and collective
resilience. Families subscribing to these principles tend to have low tolerances for violence, view
it as normal and minimal, or otherwise frame it as conflict. Secrecy in the family and the
avoidance of wider community involvement are valued. Victims may remain silent about abuse
due to a desire to protect the family from shame, fear of legal or child protective services
involvement, financial dependency, fear of stigma. Nevertheless, most cultures also stress safe,
respectful, and nurturing treatment of family members, which creates a tension between ensuring
the family remains intact, and protecting the victim.
Culture does not appear to cause family violence, but influences how violence is
interpreted, responded to, and represented. For example, gender roles, authority, spirituality, and
hierarchy may determine the power relationships in families, or who can speak up. Thus, family
therapists should discuss the topic with cultural humility and without assumption. Trauma- and
violence-informed care requires understanding the stigma, social barriers, and cultural context
for a particular family in regard to their response to violence in the home. This allows for safety,
empowerment and mutuality to be prioritized, understanding that past harm can influence
whether individuals disclose to the system (Wathen & Mantler, 2022).
If violence is not identified as the presenting problem, it is best to ask about it routinely
and in a nonjudgmental way. Therapists can explain that they ask all families about conflict and
safety because stress in relationships can affect mental and physical health. This universal
framing reduces stigma, normalizes the experience, and communicates that the therapist is
available to help if the concern changes. It relieves the family of the responsibility for deciding
whether or not their experience was "serious enough" to talk about.
Brief opportunities should be provided for one-on-one contact with individual family
members alone, and therapists must discuss confidentiality and mandated reporting with the
family in a straightforward and forthright manner when asking sensitive questions. One of the
most common reasons for resistance is fear of the unknown, which transparency seeks to counter,
restoring a sense of control and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Violence questions can be worded to avoid using labels, asking about fear, physical harm,
threatening behavior, or controlling someone. These questions ease survivor determination or
identifying violence in ways that are meaningful to survivors. Screening should not be done in
isolation; it is recommended that screening for intimate partner violence be done in conjunction
with assessment, referral, and access to support services (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,
2025). Without follow-up resources, disclosure may worsen distress and not lead to feelings of
safety.
Clinicians should carefully consider the risks of situational couple violence and patterns of
coercive control and whether conjoint family therapy could aggravate the risks of intimidation,
severe violence and chronic fear. In those cases, safety planning, individual advocacy and
coordination with community resources may be ethically warranted. Other cultural support
systems, such as extended family and faith communities, should only be included with survivor
consent and as a means to improve safety, not silence.