The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy

Two months after the Brice family’s last session, David calls for a meeting, concerned about Don. The family comes in seeming different than before—lighter and more easygoing. Still, a recent conflict with Don has brought them back to therapy. When Don was given conflicting instructions from each parent one night, David told him to decide for himself which parent to obey, and this upset Don to the point of tears. David and Carolyn never talked to each other, instead placing the decision on Don and involving him in their conflict. Whitaker becomes frustrated upon hearing this, and he urges the couple to open up to each other or risk continuing their old patterns. In retelling the story, Don becomes confused and loses track of what happened, throwing out a jumble of words. It is clear that he is reacting similarly to the way Claudia reacted when she was in the middle. Carolyn and David realize and admit their error, and even manage a joke or two. Whitaker warns the couple that they must confront their marriage directly.

Don takes center stage at the next meeting, emphasizing the pain of being considered a child and ranting about the lack of intelligence of some of his peers at school.