Healthy Human Systems

“I am very impressed by the practical application of sculpting afforded through the use of the Kvebaek family sculpting tools. You offered me, in the short time we were able to talk, a useful and informative presentation regarding the clinical and theoretical foundations of this therapeutic technique. I think it would be an invaluable tool for use in assessment and family therapy. It practicalizes family sculpting for clinicians –-and would be easily accessible for newer clinicians.”

-L.P., social work professor and clinical supervisor, Colorado

June 16, 2009 a workshop focused on Family Sculpting took place at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. Presenters were: Dr. Anne Hollingworth, psychologist in private practice in Sydney, Australia; Thomas Thorsheim, Ph.D. psychologist in private practice in Greenville, South Carolina; Jean Giebenhain, Ph.D., full professor, University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and Julie Thorsheim, MSW, of KST Associates. Moderator was Mary Carlson, Chair, Dept. of Social Work and Family Studies at St. Olaf College. This Continuing Education event was co-sponsored by NASW, Minnesota Chapter, and the St. Olaf College Department of Social Work and Family Studies, and was funded in part by the David and Karen Olson Marriage and Family Endowment at St. Olaf College.

Hollingworth showed how she uses the Kvebaek Sculpture Tool to incorporate “ the child’s voice” in her reports to Family Court when retained to assess parenting capacity and children’s family attachments for the purpose of making placement decisions about at-risk children. Julie Thorsheim provided historical and theoretical framework of the Kvebæk Family Sculpture and showed participants how to begin incorporating this technique into their practice in a variety of settings. Giebenhain provided insight into the way she uses the KST in research and clinical practice with multi-cultural adoptive families. Thomas Thorsheim provided examples of how he uses this figure placement tool in assessment and therapy with both individuals and families.

This skills-building workshop incorporated demonstration, case examples, panel presentation and small group activities to equip participants to use representational family sculpting in their own work. Participants’ evaluations of this full-day experiential workshop were enthusiastic and strong. Look for glimpses of presenters and participants on pages of this website.

Julie Thorsheim, President of KST ASSOCIATES, Northfield, Minnesota, was guest presenter at the April meeting of Lakselaget, speaking on The Kvebæk Sculpture Tool: A Norwegian invention for assessment and treatment of relationship issues that is making an impact in the U.S. and globally.

In addition to showing how the KST figures are used in assessment and therapy settings, Thorsheim incorporated these symbolic figures in sharing some of her stories of family heritage, including immigration stories, constructing her family-of-origin and her family today. Questions and comments from Lakselaget guests and members indicated interest in professional applications of the technique and how she established her company. Another commented later that the presentation whetted her interest in searching out her own Scandinavian heritage.

Lakselaget is a Minneapolis organization for area professional women and college and university students who are Norwegian, of Norwegian descent, or interested in contemporary Norwegian issues “and all things Norwegian.” Founded in 2002, the organization features noteworthy speakers and offers scholarships and grants to Norwegian students and to Minnesota professional women. The organization’s title symbolizes the theme, “Women who swim against the current…”

To learn more about Lakselaget, and to read a full description of this presentation, visit the Lakselaget website.

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and St. Olaf College are jointly sponsoring a continuing education workshop in Northfield, MN on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Continuing education units are offered by the various professional boards. For more information and to register, go the the NASW-Minnesota Chapter website.

From the National Association of Social Workers-Minnesota Chapter online Newsletter: “Looking ahead . . . save the date: NASW-MN and the St. Olaf College Department of Social Work and Family Studies collaborate on conference planning for June 16, 2009:

‘Family Sculpting: An international Tool for Brief Assessment and Intervention’

This special daylong continuing education event is being held at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in conjunction with an international gathering of practitioners, educators, and researchers who use the Kvebaek Family Sculpture Tool (called KFST or KST), a technique that rapidly engages clients in assessment and treatment.”

For full story, including presenter bios, go to the NASW-Minnesota Chapter website Newsletter.

“I’m a psychologist in private practice, providing a broad range of
psychological testing and psychotherapy services. I began using the KST in
clinical work about two years ago. It has been tremendously helpful in
both assessment and therapy, giving me and my clients rapid insight into
complex family dynamics. Further, it allows clients to share information
non-verbally at times when putting words to their family experiences may
initially feel painful or overwhelming. In family therapy , it creates a
platform for sharing individual perspectives and helps create dialogue
between family members.”
- Dr. T, Licensed Psychologist in South Carolina

The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs Annual Fall Conference will be held in Duluth, MN, September 17-19, 2008 at the Duluth Events and Convention Center. KST ASSSOCIATES will have a booth in the Exhibit Hall. This conference is always worthwhile. Stop by to meet us and see the KST product line. For more information about the conference, click on: MACMHP

“KST has been successfully used in South Africa in relation to chronic illness. Families even asked for an extra sculpture that would represent the sickness.” The writer continued, “I would like to make use of the KST in order to understand the child’s social environment, and sources of support or neglect. I would also like to understand the social environment of the household as well as to learn about familial role change in the course of chronic illness.”

- D.B., a psychologist in South Africa

* If you found this page first, click on WELCOME!  for a quick overview of the whole site.

The Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 2008 SPRING CONFERENCE is Friday, April 11th in Minneapolis at the Embassy Suites Hotel (494 and Penn Ave South). Conference presenter is Rise Van Fleet: “The Power of Play in Family Therapy: The Filial Therapy Approach.”

KST Associates will be an exhibitor, with KST Family Sculpturing “hands-on” resources for assessment and therapy available for exploration and purchase. Julie Thorsheim, MSW, LICSW, will be there to interact with conference attendees and demonstrate representational family sculpture.

For more information on this daylong event and to register, visit MAMFT at www.Minnesotafamilies.org.

Fresh discoveries have a way of renewing our energy. That is what happened about 15 years ago. When a colleague in Norway showed me the Kvebæk Family Sculpture Tool and demonstrated how he uses it, I experienced that excitement of discovery. After conducting a review of the literature and confirming a solid research base for this assessment instrument, I began incorporating family sculpture with my own clients. Using the Kvebæk Tool provides a whole new dimension to assessment and therapeutic intervention!