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…
Applying Bowenian and Structural Theories Applying Bowenian & Structural Theories For this assignment, two different theoretical approaches will be discussed, Bowenian family therapy and structural family therapy, and they will be used individually to construct a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals. Within each treatment plan discussed, short-term and long-term goals of therapy will be established and the family’s presenting problems will be defined. Two techniques that will be assigned to help them reach their therapeutic goals and any expected outcome from using those techniques will be discussed.…
Understanding the family life cycle is paramount when wanting to enter into the field of marriage and family therapy. The theory of the family life cycle refers to development as an individual and as a family unit. Subsequently when discussing family therapy as a unit it involves the individual and the family working together in a cohesive manner. According to McGoldrick, Carter and Garcia-Petro (2011) there is a 6 stage cycle when referring to the family life cycle that begins with the unabashed adult and moves through the retiree (Gladding, 2015). The 6 stages are; “single adults leaving home, the new couple, families with young children, families with adolescents, families launching children and moving on; and families in later life” (Gladding,…
Carter, B., & McGoldrick, M. (1989). Changing Family Life Cycle: A Framework for Family Therapy…
However it was developed much earlier, with the contribution of multiple psychologists and approaches. First we have Alfred Adler, who focused on siblings and parents relationship and psychological birth order in one’s family. Second is Murray Bowen, who was one of the original developer of the therapy, from psychoanalytic principle and referred it as multigenerational family therapy. Following psychologists were Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, who focused mostly on the therapist and the family relationship and more (Corey, 2005). Three major family system approach are structural family therapy, strategic family therapy and intergenerational…
Structural Family Therapy (SFT) is a method of psychotherapy developed by Salvador Minchin that focuses on the family dynamics. It is considered the most influential family therapy worldwide according to Stupart (2014). The primary purpose of the different approaches to the psychotherapy is to help people feel differently, and change their thinking and behavior (Stupart 2014). The goal of SFT is to join the family system in therapy to determine any dysfunctional relationships and how to heal them while reestablishing the family unity. This is achieved by simply by modifying the way the family interacting with other and by developing appropriate boundaries.…
Structural family therapy is a strength-based, outcome oriented treatment modality based on eco-systemic principles. A) The principle of behavior is a function of our relations with others. The structural therapist focuses on what is taking place among people, rather than on individual psyches, which is the context that organizes a person. B) The family is the primary…
The History of Family Systems Theory Family systems theory is a complex theory that has developed over a lengthy period of time. Taking multiple different theories from different fields of work as well as experiences has shaped family systems theory into what it is today. According to Rasheed, Rasheed, and Marley (2011) this all began in the late 1800s with the emergence of social work. There were studies done by social scientists to see how groups could influence an individual. From there Marriage counseling developed in the 1920s as well as the child guidance movement. Rasheed et al. (2011) also found that through Alfred Adlers collaborations with Sigmund Freud, he believed that Freud’s theories needed to be challenged, because individuals are social beings. From there Stack Sullivan learned from Adler and taught Frieda Fromm-Reichmann who believed that schizophrenia may be caused by interpersonal relationships. Family systems theory started developing around the early 1940s after the development of cybernetics, general systems, and communication theory. These theories were used in settings of schizophrenic patients who at the time clinicians believed were schizophrenic due to the families the patient was in. In the 1960s clinicians used these theories to apply to families resulting in actual family therapy in the 1970s. Our ways of thinking about issues also experience a shift during this time period.…
Structural family therapy (SFT) is rooted in family systems theory, but it is unique in its focus on family structure and its preference for remaining grounded in the here and now (Vetere, 2001, p. 133). For structural family therapists, family wholeness is the most important goal and individual symptoms are viewed as the result of dysfunctional family transactions (Lappin & Minuchin, 2011). When the family structure is reorganized, the family can interact functionally and harmoniously (M. Reed, personal communication, July 28, 2015). This paper explains the structural theory of family dysfunction, the conditions necessary for change, the primary goals of SFT, the role of the structural family therapist, and the multicultural and gender implications…
Family dysfunction results from a combination of stress and failure to realign themselves to cope with it. Stressors may be environmental (a parent is laid off, the family moves) or developmental (a child reaches adolescence, parents retire). The family’s failure to handle adversity may be due to flaws in their structure or merely to their inability to adjust to changed circumstances. All families face situations that stress the system. Although, there is no clear dividing line between healthy and unhealthy families, healthy families modify their structure to accommodate to changed circumstances, whereas dysfunctional families increase the rigidity of structures that are no longer effective. Structural assessments take into account both the problem the family presents and the structural dynamics they display. And they include all family members (Nichols & Schwartz, 2004).…
In general, family systems therapy works to decrease family stress, as well as helping members become more distinguished, and change coalitions and alliances in the family to bring about modification. These focal points are determined through certain strategies to reach goals in as well as to develop new styles of resolving problems. Family systems theory rely on members becoming healthy and differentiated the family unit begins to change and adapt and in a healthy approach, this leads to better functioning and relating between…
The Family Structural Theory provides a method in which a nurse is able to identify how family members interact with one another to establish a baseline. These interactions create patterns of behavior that the nurse is able to focus on when assessing how, why, and under what circumstances family members behave in their assumed roles, how they are organized as a family, what their established boundaries are, and how they are able to adapt when faced with change, illness, or crisis. If these family interactions are failing to yield positive outcomes, the nurse can use the Family Structural Theory to facilitate improvement in family functioning (Minuchin, & Fishman, 2004).…
Keywords: Bowen, integration, family systems theory Part I Introduction Bowen family systems theory is based on the view that the family is an emotional unit. The theory uses systems thinking to describe the interactions and relationships within the family. Given families are deeply emotionally connected, family members can influence each other’s thoughts, feelings, emotions and actions. The connectedness of the members of a family provides for each person to unknowingly solicit approval, support and attention from the other members. (Brown, 1999). Likewise, when one person in the family experiences a change, it has a ripple effect as it carries out to the other family members. All families share some amount of interdependence. Anxiety and tension can cause more than one member to show stress due to the emotional connectedness of the members. The interaction is reciprocal. Bowenian therapy was designed for use with families, but has also proven to be useful in marital therapy (Glade, 2005).…
Harry Aponte’s extensive resume and association with Minuchin’s work of structural therapy has assisted him with developing a unique therapist style that has prepared him to work with various backgrounds. Mr. Aponte is not afraid to ask the questions necessary to strength the family structure. In addition, he is willing to challenge the family to be open about their dysfunctional structure and provides avenues to a solution. Mr. Aponte strength is the ability to quickly join the family structure which is the first therapeutic technique in SFT. Due to Mr. Harry’s direct questioning, he produced a variety of feelings and thoughts within the Taylor family. During the session, the family experienced: sadness, avoidance, happiness, understanding…
What kind of therapy do you most are prevalent to use in Family Therapy? One of the therapy that she used in her session is the system approach. Even though this will depend on the individual. Whether is marriage, children, and co- worker? The way a counselor handles their cases, this will impact the kind of services they will received.…