Structural Family Theory

Salvador Minuchin’s structural family theory is a systems theory upholding that therapy must address the person as a part of the family, versus just looking at the individual. We better understand Minuchin’s theory when it is framed within the principles of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory, the premise on which all other systems theories are based. He says, like Minuchin, it is more therapeutically beneficial to look at the relationships between people rather than focusing on the individual’s psychology. This is to say that the pathology we seek to resolve as mental health professionals is not the person, but the relationship. Minchin followed Bertalanffy’s ideas about rules and boundaries and accepted the concept of circular causality; where conflict or events in systems have no definitive starting point. Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) say this is an important concept that moves relationships forward in development rather than placing blame. To grow and develop is to avoid the tendency of a system to have homeostasis, where patterns of interaction continue in the same way. Ultimately, systems theories help families move from closed and rigid systems to open systems where roles and boundaries are flexible enough to change and grow but strong enough to keep order.
These work together to create rules and patters of interaction that become automatic and accepted by the individuals of the family. Minuchin believes subconsciously abiding by family rules allows for daily functioning, but these rules should be challenged and brought to conscious levels in therapy. Erford (2014) observes that in structural family theory “dysfunction results from faulty organization” (p. 147). In order to resolve dysfunction families must consciously remake the rules they have about the structures and boundaries they have