Contrasting Minuchin, Bowen, Haley, & Whitaker
Running head: APPROACHES TO FAMILY THERAPY
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Approaches to Family Therapy: Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, & Whitaker
Running head: APPROACHES TO FAMILY THERAPY
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Approaches to Family Therapy: Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, & Whitaker Treating families in therapy can be a complex undertaking for a therapist, as they are dealing not only with a group of individuals but also with an overall system. Throughout history several key theorists have attempted to demystify the challenges families face and construct approaches to treatment. However, there have been key similarities and differences among the theoretical orientations along the way. While some have simply broadened or expanded from existing theories, others have stood in stark contrast to prior thought. Though a variety of approaches exist today, it’s critical for a therapist to understand how to conceptualize a family in these key areas; the belief about the root cause of the family’s problems and the belief about what facilitates change. These foundational concepts will help in determining specific techniques or strategies for treatment. Specifically, in considering Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, and Whitaker as four of the key family theorists, there are overarching, debatable themes that emerge in considering these areas. For example, one theme that seems to emerge for consideration is whether family problems originate due to their interactions and patterns of relating with one another, or their individual characteristics and feelings within the family unit. Similarly, another theme up for debate is whether change happens from the outside in, meaning changing behavior patterns to ultimately change individuals and perceptions in the system, or inside out, meaning the changes must first take place at an individual experience and/or insight level before impacting the overall system and behavior. Though there are certainly differences in conceptualization in these specific areas, there are also many examples of
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Approaches to Family Therapy: Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, & Whitaker
Running head: APPROACHES TO FAMILY THERAPY
2
Approaches to Family Therapy: Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, & Whitaker Treating families in therapy can be a complex undertaking for a therapist, as they are dealing not only with a group of individuals but also with an overall system. Throughout history several key theorists have attempted to demystify the challenges families face and construct approaches to treatment. However, there have been key similarities and differences among the theoretical orientations along the way. While some have simply broadened or expanded from existing theories, others have stood in stark contrast to prior thought. Though a variety of approaches exist today, it’s critical for a therapist to understand how to conceptualize a family in these key areas; the belief about the root cause of the family’s problems and the belief about what facilitates change. These foundational concepts will help in determining specific techniques or strategies for treatment. Specifically, in considering Minuchin, Haley, Bowen, and Whitaker as four of the key family theorists, there are overarching, debatable themes that emerge in considering these areas. For example, one theme that seems to emerge for consideration is whether family problems originate due to their interactions and patterns of relating with one another, or their individual characteristics and feelings within the family unit. Similarly, another theme up for debate is whether change happens from the outside in, meaning changing behavior patterns to ultimately change individuals and perceptions in the system, or inside out, meaning the changes must first take place at an individual experience and/or insight level before impacting the overall system and behavior. Though there are certainly differences in conceptualization in these specific areas, there are also many examples of
References: Nichols, M. P. (2013). Family therapy: Concepts and methods. New Jersey: Pearson.