How to Work With Middle-Aged Siblings: Integration of Narrative-Behavioral Approaches in Family Therapy

Middle-aged siblings’ concerns are rarely addressed in psychotherapy literature. Siblings without their own families of procreation are quite common in many Asian cultures. Therapists’ challenges for such shrinking systems can be approached with assimilative integration. A dominant narrative therapy foundation that absorbs behavioral strategies can be a relevant style of addressing problems faced by siblings. The narrative frame helps with individual as well as family related incongruent stories, whereas the behavioral frame creates a sense of mastery over the current interactions that can in turn consolidate new meaning about family life. Using a case illustration, we propose the use of a narrative-behavioral approach in family therapy with 2 siblings who have to create a meaningful family life together.