748 Family Systems Therapy Flashcards
Family Systems Perspective
Individuals are best understood through assessing the interactions within an entire family
Family Systems Perspective
A family is an interactional unit and a change in one member effects all members
Family Systems Perspective
A systems orientation broadens the traditional emphasis on individual internal dynamics
View of Symptoms
Symptoms are viewed as an expression of a dysfunction within a family
View of Symptoms: Problematic behaviors:
Serve a purpose for the family
View of Symptoms: Problematic behaviors:
Are unintentionally maintained by family processes
View of Symptoms: Problematic behaviors:
Reflect the family’s inability to operate productively
View of Symptoms: Problematic behaviors:
Are symptomatic patterns handed down across generations
Adlerian Family Therapy
Developed by Alfred Adler, AFT is based on an educational model that emphasizes family atmosphere and family constellation
Adlerian Family Therapy
Therapists are collaborators who seek to join the family
Adlerian Family Therapy
Parent interviews yield hunches about the purposes underlying children’s misbehavior
Multigenerational Family Therapy
A theoretical and clinical model developed by Murray Bowen that evolved from psychoanalytic principles and practices
Multigenerational Family Therapy
The family is viewed as an emotional unit
Multigenerational Family Therapy
Unresolved emotional reactivity to one’s family must be addressed if one hopes to achieve a mature personality
Multigenerational Family Therapy
Differentiation of the self
A psychological separation from others
Multigenerational Family Therapy
Triangulation
A third party is recruited to reduce anxiety and stabilize a couples’ relationship
MFT Treatment Goals
To change the individuals within the context of the system
MFT Treatment Goals
To end generation-to-generation transmission of problems by resolving emotional attachments
MFT Treatment Goals
To lessen anxiety and relieve symptoms
MFT Treatment Goals
To increase the individual member’s level of differentiation
Structural Family Therapy
Created by Salvador Minuchin, this approach focuses on family interactions to understand the structure, or organization of the family
Structural Family Therapy
Symptoms are a byproduct of structural failings
Structural Family Therapy
Structural changes must occur in a family before an individual’s symptoms can be reduced
Structural Family Therapy
Techniques are active, directive, and well thought out
Treatment Goals of Structural Family Therapy: Reduce symptoms of dysfunction and bring about structural change by:
Modifying the family’s transactional rules
Treatment Goals of Structural Family Therapy: Reduce symptoms of dysfunction and bring about structural change by:
Developing more appropriate boundaries
Treatment Goals of Structural Family Therapy: Reduce symptoms of dysfunction and bring about structural change by:
Creating an effective hierarchical structure
Strategic Family Therapy
Jay Haley developed this approach, which is often used in combination with Structural Family Therapy
Strategic Family Therapy
Presenting problems are accepted as “real” and not a symptom of system dysfunction
Strategic Family Therapy
Therapy is brief, process-focused, and solution-oriented
Strategic Family Therapy
Change results when the family follows the therapist’s directions and change transactions
Treatment Goals of Strategic Family Therapy
Resolve presenting problems by focusing on behavioral sequences
Treatment Goals of Strategic Family Therapy
Get people to behave differently
Treatment Goals of Strategic Family Therapy
Shift the family organization so that the presenting problem is no longer functional
Treatment Goals of Strategic Family Therapy
Move the family toward the appropriate stage of family development
Recent Innovations in Family Therapy
In recent times, feminism, multiculturalism, and postmodern social constructionism have all entered the family therapy field
Recent Innovations in Family Therapy
These models are more collaborative, treating clients—individuals, couples, or families—as experts in their own lives
Recent Innovations in Family Therapy
These models represent a real paradigm shift in the field of family therapy
A Multilayered Process of Family Therapy
Families are multilayered systems that both affect and are affected by the larger systems in which they are embedded
A Multilayered Process of Family Therapy
Both members and the system can be assessed based on power, alignment, organization, structure, development, culture, and gender
Strengths from a Diversity Perspective
Many ethnic and cultural groups place great value on the extended family
Strengths from a Diversity Perspective
Monica McGoldrick has been the most influential leader in the development of gender and cultural perspectives in family practice
Strengths from a Diversity Perspective
The individual culture of the family, the larger cultures to which the family members belong, and host culture that dominates the family’s life are explored
Limitations from a Diversity Perspective
The process of differentiation occurs in most cultures, but it takes on a different shape due to cultural norms
Limitations from a Diversity Perspective
Some practitioners may erroneously assume Western models of family are universal
Limitations from a Diversity Perspective
Some family therapists focus primarily on the nuclear family, which is based on Western notions
Contributions of the Family Systems Approach
In most systemic approaches, neither the individual nor the family is blamed for a particular dysfunction
Contributions of the Family Systems Approach
An individual is not scapegoated as the “bad person” in the family
Contributions of the Family Systems Approach
Identifying and exploring internal, developmental, and purposeful interactional patterns empowers the family
Limitations of the Family Systems Approach
An overemphasis on the system may result in the unique characteristics and needs of individuals being overlooked
Limitations of the Family Systems Approach
Practitioners must not assume that Western models of family are universal and must be culturally competent
