Structural Theory

Question 1

Who was our main founder for this one?

Answer 1

Salvador Minuchin

Question 2

Okay, we’ve got BOUNDARIES for this model: Rigid, Clear, and Diffuse. What do they mean?

Answer 2

Rigid = Disengaged, overly distant (leading to symptoms)
___________________

Diffuse = Enmeshment, overly attached/involved (leading to symptoms)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (remember Bowen is fusion, not enmeshment)

The lines were in the slide, don’t hate me.

Question 3

Tell me, oh fellow students, what is an enactment?

Answer 3

Therapist notices negative exchange.
Therapist is like “do it again ya’ll.”
Therapist guides modification of the negative exchange.

Cool, now you know everything you need to about that.

Question 4

Okay, so this model DOESN’T use a genogram, but it DOES use a….starts with S….

Answer 4

Structural Map

Which basically maps…structure. And relationships. And the boundaries we went over.

Question 5

Structural therapy is all about…

Answer 5

STRUCTURE. You’re so smart.

Families repeat interactions, which creates a familiar structure and pattern. This structure reinforces family rules and expectations. Every family has a hierarchy, with adults and children having different levels of authority.

Question 6

Say it with me, kids. PROCESS, not…

Answer 6

…CONTENT.

Let’s be honest, we really didn’t need a slide for that.

Question 7

What is it called when you:

• ask family members to change seats
• ask family members to move farther/closer to each other
• ask someone/multiple people to remain silent
• ask questions that highlight a problem area
• block interruptions or encourage pauses for less dominant persons to speak

Answer 7

Boundary Making!

Just whipping them up out of thin air, what a badass.

Question 8

What is unbalancing?

Answer 8

You temporarily take sides to unbalance the family hierarchy.

Example:
Little kid gets interrupted by parents. They speak for her several times: “what she means is…” You channel Sal in your therapeutic rolly chair and sidle up to the kid. Your arms cross, and a quizzical expression lines your brow.
“So how often does this happen?” you say. The kid looks up at you in shock and relief. Instant fix, you’re done. The therapy gods open the heavens and rain down praise and adoration upon you. You make all the money. Go ahead and retire.

Question 9

What are the three main phases of structural therapy?

Answer 9

1. Join
   
   • accommodate to the family’s style, build an alliance
2. Map
   
   • evaluate structure, boundaries, and hierarchy
3. Intervene
   
   • address problems, transform the structure to diminish symptoms

Question 10

What are you trying to accomplish for families in this model? (hint: think structure/hierarchy)

Answer 10

• clear boundaries between subsystems
• distinction between the couple subsystem and the parental subsystem
• effective parental hierarchy

Question 11

What is mimesis?

Answer 11

Try to mirror posture, volume, and vocal cadence. Use their language. You are entering their system; you have to blend in to join.

Question 12

Why does this model tend to fit well when working with diverse families?

Answer 12

This model treats the parental hierarchy with respect and reorders the family structure accordingly. The therapist also takes an expert stance.

Thoughts?

Question 13

This is a strengths-based model. Can anyone remember why?

Answer 13

Minuchin didn’t see families as dysfunctional. Rather, he accepted that families operate differently. He tried to make what THEY had work, rather than telling them to tear it up and start something new.