Family Roles
This role makes the family look good. By ignoring the problem, they project the family in a good light as if the problem does not exist. This role may be operating on underlying feelings of fear, guilt, and shame.
Hero
-why this happened
-why the changes occurred
-question the possibility of substance use
-wishful thinking
How does your culture or race view mental health and mental health treatment?
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Pick a partner and decide who will be the parent and who will be the child.
Scenario: Child has to let the parent know they failed a test.
What TIPP skill can you use when feeling overwhelmed or stressed out by your family?
Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, Progressive muscle relaxation
This role is the jester. They make inappropriate jokes about the people involved. They may be operating on underlying feelings of embarrassment, shame, and anger.
Mascot
2. Deny
-deny the substance use is occurring or deny the that it is a problem
-experience shame of family situation with outsiders
What aspects of your culture can support or enhance your recovery?
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Pick a partner and decide who will be the parent and who will be child.
Scenario: Child just came home past curfew and the parent is upset/worried.
What does DEARMAN stand for?
Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindfulness, Appear confident, Negotiate
The role plays the silent member of the family. They are typically not seen and may prefer to be alone. They try their best not cause problems. They give up their own needs and avoid conversations about underlying feelings. They may be operating on underlying feelings of guilt, loneliness, neglect, and anger.
Lost Child
3. Grieve
-for the loss of the dreams they had for this loved ones
Do you feel comfortable talking to your family about gender and sexuality? Why or why not?
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Pick a partner and decide who will be sibling 1 and sibling 2.
Scenario: Sibling 1 borrowed something from sibling 2 without asking. Sibling 2 is now confronting sibling 1 about this.
Describe a situation where you would use a TIPP skill?
Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation
This role tries to keep all the other roles happy and the family in balance. They do this by making excuses for all the behaviors. They may present a problem free picture to those outside of the family. They may be operating on underlying feelings of inadequacy, fear, and helplessness.
Caretaker (Enabler)
4. Learn
-learn to distinguish the difference between the behaviors related to the addiction and loved one as a person
-learn not blame oneself
-understand that their loved one will take their own actions and family members are there to prove guidance
Have you considered how gender roles impact they way your family functions? How does that affect your mental health and recovery?
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Pick a partner and decide who will be the parent and who will be the child.
Scenario: Child accidentally scratched parents car and parent is upset.
Describe a time where you used DEARMAN with your family.
Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindfulness, Appear confident, Negotiate
This role acts out, rebels, and makes noise in an effort to divert attention away. This person may be operating on underlying feelings of shame, guilt, and emptiness.
Scapegoat
5. Accept
-accept that substance use is the cause of the observed changes in the loved one
- realizing one does not have to accept unacceptable behavior
Does your family's faith practice or religious beliefs influence your mental health? What are the positives and negatives of this?
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Pick a partner and decide who is the parent and who is the child.
Scenario: Child is asking to go to a friends birthday party and parent is refusing. Be persistent.
Write out a DEARMAN for your parents about wanting to go to a friends party.
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