Reflections on Marriage and Family Therapy Emergent from International Dialogues in China

Abstract

Family is a central construct in Chinese life. Although central, it is also a changing construct as China becomes an increasingly international nation. This article discusses the Chinese family system in context, the challenges to existing constructs, and issues of cultural competence in the midst of change. Using diverse constructs such as pastoral care, existential ethics, and systemic approaches, it is possible to develop means of approaching family life in China both therapeutically and in a way that respects the freedom and dignity of a people in flux.

Acknowledgments

This article was drawn from presentations by the authors at the First International Conference on Existential Psychology, Nanjing, China, April 2010.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason Dias

Jason Dias is an early-career psychologist with specialties in marriage and family systems therapy and existential psychology. His interests also include art and music on psychotherapy. He has spoken extensively on these subjects at conferences nationally and internationally.

Albert Chan

Albert Chan is a marriage and family therapist, an approved supervisor of America Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, he is teaching psychology subjects at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. In maintaining a private practice and providing consultation and training, Albert's clinical work has embraced humanistic-experiential and family systemic approaches.

James Ungvarsky

As a core faculty member at Regis University, James Ungvarsky chairs the Counseling Military Families post-master's certificate program and directs the counseling lab at the Colorado Springs campus. He also maintains a limited private practice. Dr. Ungvarsky earned his Psy.D. in Organizational Leadership and master's degrees in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling and Public Administration. He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on diverse topics including self-deception in therapy, existential supervision, and counseling military families. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the American Counseling Association.

James Oraker

James Oraker is a licensed psychologist in the state of Colorado, an ordained Presbyterian minister and a professor of psychology at the University of the Rockies, School of Professional Psychology. Heco-founded the Dale House Project, a spiritual based residential treatment center for troubled adolescents and graduate training center connected to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena California. He has been an organizational consultant and an Executive Coach with the Center for Creative Leadership since 1997. His clinical practice includes marriage and family therapy, couples counseling with specialities in adolescents and professionals in crisis. Jim has served as President of the Psychological Society of the Pikes Peak Region and President of the state Psychological Association where he currently is Chair of the Peer Assistance Liaison Committee (PAL) and liaison to the State Psychology Licensing Board. In addition, he has served as Chair of the American Psychological Association's Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance (ACCA).

Heatherlyn P. Cleare-Hoffman

Heatherlyn P. Cleare-Hoffman, Psy.D., is an assistant professor at the University of the Rockies, School of Professional Psychology. She is a contributor to Existential Psychology East–West with her chapter, “Junkanoo: A Bahamian Cultural Myth.” Originally from the Bahamas, Dr. Cleare-Hoffman has presented internationally on issues related to diversity, culture, existential-humanistic psychology, and marriage and family therapy. She also continues to see clients and supervise doctoral students at the Center for Growth, PC, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her professional interests include diversity issues, marriage and family therapy, humanistic psychology, and supervision.