title: Wet cocker spaniel therapy: an essay on technique in family therapy.
abstract: Wet Cocker Spaniel Therapy is a metaphor for the therapist's use of spontaneous techniques arising from the specific therapeutic situation rather than planned techniques from the therapist's training or allegiances. The paper proposes a problem-oriented, rather than technique-oriented, approach to family therapy. Most therapy can be performed in a calm, polite, rational, straightforward manner without any tricks or therapeutic razzle-dazzle. From time to time, the therapist may have to startle or jerk the family past a snag point and into change. Ideally, the therapist's techniques should arise from the content of the hour and the symbolism of the family and should be applied sparingly. I hope this paper will make therapists feel more comfortable being sane, polite, and practical, and unashamed when not being brilliant.
mesh_terms: D000786:Anger; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D004285:Dogs; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D012930:Social Dominance; D013561:Symbolism