Third Session

Goal Setting
We used the first part of this session to review goal setting techniques and strategies.  Some were able to achieve their goals, some did not achieve the goals set, but we are using this "failure" as a learning experience, it will teach us more about how we set goals, are they realistic and achievable, or do they need to be revised downwards to be easier to reach.  We are not looking to climb a whole mountain, simply take one step at a time towards it.
Family Maps/Genograms
The second part of the session was spent discussing the roles each family member plays in the family, and what these roles mean - or rather, what effect can roles like this have, both on the 'player' and the other family members.  "Overfunctioning" members of the family end up doing all the work, which means other family members do not have to. 
We then did a drawing of family trees, or genograms.  This exercise helps people to look at their family in a different way, to identify patterns, to see where generations are "mirroring" each other, or even noticing where relationships have broken down, or there are secrets, or things we don't know (that we didn't realise we didn't know).  This exercise is only the beginning of our work to explore the family and it's functioning throughout the rest of the sessions for this group.
Feel free to comment or simply post a note on the blog if you wish, and we will meet again on Tuesday May. Until then, Take Care of Yourselves.   Emma