Structural Family Therapy

Question 1

Who were the main founders of Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 1

• Salvador Minuchin
• Harry Aponte
• Marion Lindblad-Goldberg

Question 2

What are some main concepts of Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 2

• Boundaries: rules for managing physical/psychological distance in family members AND defines regulation of closeness/distance/hierarchy/family roles
• are culturally defined*
• Enactments: used to assess/alter problematic interactional sequences (map, track, and modify the family structure)

Question 3

Describe “clear or “normal” boundaries”

Answer 3

Close emotional contact while allowing each person a sense of identity

Question 4

Describe “enmeshment and diffuse boundaries”

Answer 4

Strong sense of mutuality/connection at expense of individual autonomy

Question 5

Describe “disengagement and rigid boundaries”

Answer 5

Lead to relational disengagement; autonomy emphasized at expense of emotional connection

Question 6

What are some interventions of Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 6

• Challenging & expanding FAMILY’S WORLDVIEW
• Different levels/styles of INTENSITY needed depending on the issue
• CRISIS INDUCTION, for families who chronically avoid problems
• COMPLIMENTS, bolster behaviors that support families in moving towards goals
• SHAPING COMPETENCE, noticing small success along the way to reach goals

Question 7

Describe “Unbalancing” in Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 7

• Used for extreme difficulties in hierarchy or when (IP) is being scapegoated
• Use expert position to temp. “join sides” with IP individuals or subsystems that need stronger boundaries
• Done briefly, with specific realignment goals in mind

Question 8

Are there any multicultural concerns in Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 8

• In between yes and no
• “boundaries are culturally defined” yet therapist’s “self” will come through
• Feminist critic: around gender, females/males have equal influence but that is not true