Family Systems Theory: Family Therapy

Individual and family therapies are approaches that can be employed in treatment and understanding of human behavior. Individual therapy tends to take a concentrated focus and entail internalization of personal dynamics. On the other hand family therapy tends to take an external focus. Research has shown that the two theories can be integrated so that each benefits the other. Creating a comparison between individual and family modalities helps in understanding the client type and integration for their treatment.

For instance, structural family therapy takes a look at the family relationships, practices, patterns, and dynamics; and uses those patterns as they are displayed throughout the treatment process with a specific end goal to assess the family 's structure. In addition, counselors likewise look at subsystems inside of the family structure, for example, parental or sibling subsystems. Structural family therapy was composed by Salvador Minuchin, who utilizes "role playing" in the therapy sessions. Strategic family therapy looks at the family process and functions, for example, communication or problem solving patterns to see how the family operates outside of the therapeutic process. Helpful strategies during the sessions may incorporate reframing or rethinking the issue/situation; or utilizing interventions that recommend the family make a move that has all the earmarks of being contrary to their remedial objectives with a specific end goal to make the desired change.

Furthermore, the structural family therapy are theories and techniques method for individuals to help them in their social and relational relationships (Vetere, 2001). Additionally, the definition of structure is organizational characteristics of families at any given time, the family subsystems, and open and concealed rules that effect interpersonal decisions and behaviors in the family (Vetere, 2001). Moreover, the foundational approach to structural family therapy are that families’ are views as psychosocial systems, attached within social systems, which operate in a transactional patters. The transaction patterns are how, when and whom to relate, and reinforce systems. As a result each family duty are carried ou... ... middle of paper ... ...is with an illustration of his personal family dynamic.

The concept of Structural family therapy is how the therapist “view the family as a system structured according to set patterns and rules that govern family interactions” (2003, Gehart & Tuttle, p. 23). The therapist goal is to interact with the clients during the therapy session to obtain an understanding of the reported problem. This process will allow the therapist to assist the clients with changing their structure. Strategic family therapy concept is to attempt to address a specific problem of the family in a shorter timeframe than other therapeutic services. Both approaches strive to assist the clients with overcoming their family issues, however views the structure of the family differently.

It is concerned about how the issues effect the family relationships and connections. This theory concentrates on how well the understanding is amongst the family members and counselor. The members of the family are prompted to understand how the issues were created, where did the issues come from, when the issues started effecting their family, and what the family needs to overcome their issues. Its focus is to help others understand and improve negative behavior. The structural therapy concentrates on the interaction and boundaries of families with separating the whole family into smaller groups.

Reframing is used in family therapy to join with the family as well as offer a varying perspective on the presentation of problems. Reframing entails taking something out of its logical group and placing it in a different category to produce an outcome whereby a negative can be reframed to produce a positive. In tracking, which is common in family therapy involves listening and recording of the sessions in the order of the sequence. Marriage therapists also use out-positioning, paradoxical interventions as well as symptom prescription to expose any hidden relationships in

Family therapy changes the family dynamic by creating rules and boundaries in the house. The therapist creates interventions for the family during therapy to work on these issues (Szapocznik,

which the medical providers, councilor or teachers in the community have already formed a rapport with the family. Moreover, can give guidance on how to recommend therapy to the parents and children. According to (Lebow, 2005) away to confront the family members as to recommend therapy to the patient or family with referrals from the medical doctor, councilor or teachers. The referral stating Example, “In our experience transparent of this nature, places an enormous stress on families”. “Stress can interfere with the post-operative recovery.” The text state the initiates a statement to the family consulting with one of their colleagues that specializes in family therapy about the situation and stresses placed on the family.

Structural family therapy theory and techniques can be found in many facets in therapy. Structural family therapy looks at the family’s systems and boundaries as a whole; as well as, each member’s systems and boundaries in the family. After identifying the systems and boundaries, structural mapping, techniques are used to help address a family’s problems. Techniques such as enactment, boundary making, and joining, are used to strengthen and develop healthy boundaries; as well as, end or weaken boundaries that may try to cause triangulation, negative coalitions, or negative boundaries that affect the family. Also how effective structural family therapy can be for different situations.

It is important for practitioner to be aware that families that exist nowadays are increasingly becoming more divers and complex over time. Family Social Work Family social work in general involves multi-stressed families. These families have been experiencing multiple problems and have the possibility of being at risk. Social workers provide in-home family support, knowledge and skills, different types of programmes and more. They also apply problem solving, strength-based and crisis intervention approaches to family social work with vulnerable families (Collins et al., 2013).