Julie Thorsheim, MSW, DCSW, of KST Associates, demonstrating the use of representational family sculpting and other interactive techniques to advance skills development for social services professionals and mental health clinicians. The in-service training shown here took place in a mental health agency a few years ago.

 

Following another Clinical Training Seminar, Chief Psychologist, Dr. Wayne Ehrisman, wrote Thorsheim saying, “I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your presentation on the Kvebaek Family Sculpting Technique at the Southwest Mental Health Center two weeks ago. Your presentation was very informative regarding the clinical and theoretical foundations of this technique, and your style of presentation and skillful use of case material provided clear illustrations regarding how it can be applied in clinical practice.” He called the presentation “a breath of fresh air.” A clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, he noted the importance of renewing an emphasis on family systems theory and therapy in current child training programs in departments of Psychology and Psychiatry.

 

Professors who are educating medical students and residents also recognize the importance of providing their students with a foundation in family systems concepts. This is particularly important for men and women entering family medicine, pediatrics and advanced practice nursing. Of note in this regard is a 1992 article in the journal, Family Systems Medicine, by Botelho, et al, entitled “Using the Kvebæk board for brief systems consultation: A teaching technique for preceptor-resident encounters.” (See Literature for detailed reference.)

If you are committed to better equipping doctors, nurses, family therapists, psychologists or social workers in your academic program, take a look at how incorporating the Kvebaek Sculpture Tool might efficiently and effectively enhance a family systems perspective in your professional curriculum and continuing education.

 

On Jan. 26, 2026 this email arrived from a child & adolescent psychiatrist, saying, Here is my comment which you may put on your website:

“I have taught prospective child and adolescent psychiatrists through a two-year programme in psychodynamic psychotherapy. We concluded the last session in May 2025 with ‘the use of projective methods’, in which Kvebæk figures are an important and exciting clinical tool. The use of these figures can symbolise and visualise complex emotional structures in families or individuals.

Although the method was developed in Norway and has been used in outpatient clinics throughout the country, 25 years later it was unknown to my younger colleagues. It was a successful re-discovery. The group was also enthusiastic about the opportunity to use it in communicating with colleagues. Through a shared perspective with colleagues on the arrangement of figures in a case, they discovered how transference and countertransference became much clearer and easier to talk about. This had an unexpected additional effect that surprised the group. When we remember that the method was originally developed to assist in the communication of clinical material in teamwork, this re-discovery underlines the efficacy of the method.

I recommend this fantastic tool provided by the Kvebæk figures, which patients often enjoy using. It is a meaningful supplement in the assessment and helps in communicating thoughts about complex family matters.

Thanks to Julie Thorsheim for sending a set of figures at short notice!

Bettina Berdal

Child and adolescent psychiatrist (Dnlf), Group therapy, group analysis (IGA)

Psychoanalysis, Training analysis (IPA / NPI)

Psychotherapy supervision (Dnlf)

 Oslo/Norway