Structural Family Therapy Terms (15) Flashcards
Alliance
Close relationships that are formed between certain family members; they can be formed between siblings, children and parents, or between members of the same gender.
Example - An adolescent child is caught in the middle of a conflict between their parents; the therapist works to help the family understand that the child needs support and stability from both parents, and encourages the parents to form one of these so they can work together to create solutions for the issues they are facing.
Coalition
When two family members are “allied” against another member or members of the family. This type of alliance often happens as an attempt to gain control over the other family members and maintain the existing power dynamics within the family.
Example - A mother and father join together to pressure their teenage daughter into making certain decisions or choices that they feel are best for her
Disengaged boundaries
Boundaries that are too distant, with an individual family member or the family as a whole not engaging with each other in a meaningful way.
Example - Each family member spends the majority of their time in separate rooms and rarely interacts with each other.
Family Hierarchy
The structure of relationships between family members, with one member having more power than the others.
Example - In a family, the parents may have more power than their children.
Genogram
A tool used to visualize the family’s history and relationships; includes information about family members such as their names, birth dates, and relationships to one another.
Example - A therapist might use one of these to identify patterns in the family’s dynamics, such as a tendency for family members to gravitate toward certain roles or track substance use history through the family.
Homeostasis
Representing patterns of interactions that assure stability of the system
Joining
Technique used to create a feeling of connection and understanding between the therapist and the family.
Example - The therapist might ask questions about the family and show support to demonstrate to the family that they are all part of the same team and that they are all working together to create positive change.
Reframing
Used to help family members view a situation from a different perspective.
Example - A therapist might help a family recognize how a particular “negative” behavior is actually a sign of love or caring, rather than a source of conflict.
Rehearsal or role play
Family members act out certain scenarios in a safe and supportive environment.
Example - A therapist might ask the family to act out a scenario in which they practice healthy communication skills.
Restructuring
Changing the way family members interact with each other.
Example - A therapist might suggest that the family rotate roles and responsibilities so that each member plays an active role in decision making.
Rigid Boundaries
Boundaries that are too inflexible, with a lack of balance between the needs of the family members.
Example - A family may have these boundaries where there is a strict curfew and no allowance for individual choices.
Roles
Therapist helps family members redefine these and expectations in their family system.
Example - A therapist helps a family move away from traditional gender roles and create an environment where everyone is respected regardless of their gender.
Structural Analysis
Taking a close look at the current structure of a family system and identifying how it affects individual family members.
Example - A therapist may identify issues such as power imbalances, communication breakdowns, and unhelpful family roles.
Structural Family Map
A visual representation of the family’s dynamics, including boundaries, .
Example - A therapist might ask the family to create an illustration of their relationships in order to identify patterns in their interactions.
Structure
Invisible set of functional demands or rules that organize the way family members relate to one another
