STRUCTURAL FAMILY THERAPY

Question 1

Treatment Goals

Answer 1

1. Restructure family system
2. Change dysfunctional transactional patterns.
3. Help create flexible boundaries.

“Charlie Doesnt like To Play”

Question 2

Interventions:

Answer 2

1. Reframe
2. Joining:
3. Mimesis
4. Tracking
5. Create boundaries within the family system.
6. Unbalancing:
7. Family Mapping:
8. Challenge rules.
9. Restructure subsystems.

Randal joins Mimi to create family meals, challenging Ralph and regie to sucumb

Question 3

Main Concepts

Answer 3

1. Coalitions:
2. Complimentarity:
3. Alliances:
4. Power Hierarchy:

“CiCi always powers through”

Question 4

Role of the Therapist:

Answer 4

1. The therapist is active and involved, and joins the family system.
2. Helps the family understand how family structure can be changed.
3. rituals and rules of the family.
4. new patterns of interaction can be integrated into the family.

Question 5

Underpinnings

Answer 5

1. Action oriented approach
2. maladaptive boundaries and subsystems
3. relationship dynamics
4. inflexible family structure prohibits the family from adapting to change

Question 6

Reframing

Answer 6

Redefine the problem as a system’s issue.

Question 7

Joining

Answer 7

The therapist’s first task is to blend in with the family by adapting their affect, style, and language.

Question 8

Mimesis

Answer 8

The therapist tracks the family’s style of communication and uses it.

Question 9

Tracking:

Answer 9

The therapist pays close attention to family members and how they relate to one another during an enactment or spontaneous behavioral sequence. ○Notice boundaries, coalitions, roles, rules, etc.

Question 10

Unbalancing:

Answer 10

Supporting someone who is in a one-down position, thus changing hierarchical position.

Question 11

Family Mapping:

Answer 11

A diagram used to identify boundaries, structures, and relationships within the family system.

Question 12

Coalitions:

Answer 12

Alignments where two or more family members join together to form a bond against another family member.

Question 13

Complimentarity

Answer 13

When an individual’s behavior is caused or due to someone else’s behavior.

Question 14

Power Hierarchy

Answer 14

Leadership and direction must be provided by adults, typically parents.

○If a parent is intimidated or insecure, the power is upside down and leads to chaos.

Question 15

Alliances

Answer 15

Subgroups based on gender, generation, and developmental tasks.