Sculpture in family therapy: a surprising tool for change

When dysfunctional relationship patterns remain within a family, change can be difficult.. It is difficult for each member to get out of their particular perspective and achieve a broader view of what is happening. Thus, sculpture is a technique that facilitates awareness and promotes change.

How many times, faced with a family conflict, have you found yourself attacking others and unable to recognize your own responsibility? This can happen to each and every one of us, but in a psychotherapy process it is important to somehow break down that defensive barrier. So, Sculpture opens our eyes to reality in a way that is as effective as it is surprising.

What is sculpture in family therapy?

To put this technique into practice, the therapist asks one of the family members to be the sculptor. Others must allow themselves to be molded by him and adopt the positions that he indicates to them. As the sculpture develops, the therapist takes the position of observer and commentator. He can thus guide the sculptor with questions such as the following:

Is this the position you want this person to have? Where should their gaze be directed? How far apart should there be between each member? Should they touch or hold hands?

Regarding the choice of the sculptor, It is common to select the identified patient for this task, since they are the ones who usually have a clearer vision of family dynamics. But it is also possible to ask each family member to make their own sculpture, showing their own vision.

In family therapy An identified patient is the person who presents the main symptom for which help is requested.. For example, someone who has an anxious or depressive disorder. However, it is taken into account that, from this current, the symptom is a mere indicator of a dysfunction that encompasses the entire family as a system. That is, it is not limited solely to a personal problem of that individual.

How do you work with sculpture?

When the sculptor finishes his work, he is asked to choose a position for himself and the picture is completed. From here, we can use this technique as a diagnostic element.

So, We will invite each member to explain how they feel in their position. They should always focus on describing the sensations that arise from their body posture, without analyzing what they mean. In this way, we prevent the family from getting involved in defensive arguments again.

So, A person may notice that the rigid posture they are in causes tension and discomfort.. Perhaps another realizes that, from her position, she cannot see a certain family member. One of them may feel isolated because they are positioned further away from the rest.

Often, looking at the perspective gives us a clearer idea of ​​what is happening in the family. Thus, the therapist will be able to occupy the place of each member in the sculpture so that they can observe the image from the outside.

Definitely, the sculpture provides a spatial metaphor for family relationships and the emotional position of each person in the system. Through position, affinities, rejections and attitudes can be observed that will provide us with an outline of what is not working and needs to be worked on.

Diagnosis and treatment

Sculpture is a technique that can be used both as a diagnostic element and as a therapeutic technique. That is, it helps us become aware of the dysfunctional relationships and patterns that we must address. Besides, A sculpture can be made that reflects the family ideal that each member wishes to achieve.; so that it will serve to capture the objectives.

This technique It is also used in couples therapy, since it is an exercise with the capacity to surprise and motivate. With it we can discuss points and reach places that, with mere verbal discussion, we would not be able to recognize. He helps us put ourselves in our own skin and in that of others with greater awareness. For this reason, it is usually very useful for the therapeutic process.

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