Family Systems Theory

Chapter 11

The Case of Jean and Derril

Jean42-year-old divorced African American female

Derril12-year-old multiracial male

Referred to therapy following an altercation at Derril’s school

Jean is concerned about more effectively managing Derril’s behavior

The Satir Approach

Central ConstructsSelf-esteem

Self Mandala

Communication

Primary Triad

Family Rules

The Satir Approach

Theory of the PersonNo formal theory of personality

Life is a journey through five basic life stages

Eight processes are essential to becoming fully human

The Satir Approach

Health and DysfunctionHealthy people are open and honest with self and

others, take risks, are creative and flexible

Healthy families have open communication, strong sense of self among the individuals, and rules are flexible

Dysfunctional families have fuzzy communication, members are fearful and blame each other, and rules are inflexible

The Satir Approach

Nature of TherapyAssessment

Role of the client

Role of the counselor

Goals of therapy

The Satir Approach

Process of TherapyStage 1: Contact

Stage 2: Chaos

Stage 3: Integration

The Satir Approach

Therapeutic TechniquesFamily sculptingFamily stress balletCommunication analysisTherapist communicationsTouchFamily thermometerParts party

Process of Therapy

Phase OneEmphasis is on symptom reduction

First sessionEstablishing the working relationshipGoal settingSocializing the client

Guided discoveryPhase Two

Exploration of schemas

Structural Therapy

Central ConstructsFamily Structure

Subsystems

Boundaries

Structural Therapy

Theory of the PersonInterested in the development of the family

An individual’s personal identity is composed of a balance between individuality and belonging

Structural Therapy

Health and DysfunctionHealthy families have clearly defined and

flexible boundaries

Dysfunction is due to overly rigid or blurred boundaries among subsystems within a system

Structural Therapy

Nature of TherapyAssessment

Role of the client

Role of the counselor

Goals of therapy

Structural Therapy

Process of TherapyJoining of the therapist with the family

Therapist continuously moves in and out of family interactions

Structural Therapy

Therapeutic TechniquesEnactment

Focusing

Achieving intensity

Boundary making

Unbalancing

Teaching complementarity

Strategic Therapy

Central ConstructsCommunication

Hierarchies

Strategic Therapy

Theory of the PersonNo formal theory of personality

Important life stages

Strategic Therapy

Health and DysfunctionHealthy families have clear hierarchies

consistent with the context of the family

Dysfunction is rigid and repetitive interactions between members of the family

Strategic Therapy

Nature of TherapyAssessment

Role of the client

Role of the counselor

Goals of therapy

Strategic Therapy

Process of TherapyTherapist works with the family to formulate a

solvable problem

First session

Strategic Therapy

Therapeutic TechniquesDirectives

Reframing

Exaggerating the hierarchical problem

Pretend directives

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

Central ConstructsDifferentiation of self

Chronic anxiety

Triangles

Emotional distance

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

Theory of the PersonDifferentiation is the essential feature of

human life

Individuality and togetherness need to be balanced

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

DysfunctionThree different patterns

Conflict in the couple’s relationshipDysfunction in a member of the parental

coupleDysfunction in a child

Poor differentiation of a member in the family

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

Nature of TherapyAssessment

Role of the client

Role of the counselor

Goals of therapy

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

Process of TherapyFamily learns about the operation of family

systems

Family members observe their own family patterns

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory

Therapeutic TechniquesProcess questioning

Taking the I-position

Evaluation of Family Systems Approaches

QualitiesPrecision

Testability

Empirical validity

Research SupportOutcome research

Theory-testing research

Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity

ProsBowen’s emphasis on

multigenerational issues

Role of therapist as active, expert coach, or leader

ConsNeutral stanceConstructs based on

the patriarchal system

Reinforce traditional family structure

Focus on differentiation