The Hillcrest family : assessment consultation 2

The purpose of this program is to present an assessment consultation between Drs. Carl Whitaker and Ruth Peachey, the Hillcrest family therapist. In this presentation Dr. Whitaker describes his reaction to his assessment interview with the family and to the family itself. He explores the role each of the parents play and how they really perceive themselves. He is especially impressed with the tremendous isolation of Bruce from the rest of the family and explores the role of Sonia as the "little mother" in competing with Carol for her father's love and attention. He discusses their feelings of guilt about this second marriage and the efforts each of the parents have made to work out the problems. Dr. Whitaker finds Lisa as a very powerful member of the family who achieves what she wants without aggression and comes off being the righteous one whereas Sonia appears to be the "whore." Dr. Whitaker feels that Norman is very insecure and the family needs might best be served if Norman and Carol received individual treatment in between family counseling visits to promote a sense of their own power rather than the combined forces power they presently have