Family Systems Theory There are several categories of theories that exist under the umbrella of “Family Systems Theory”

Major Players in the development of Family Systems Theory Gregory Bateson: the “pioneer” of applying systems thinking to human interaction. Palo Alto Group: In 1952, this research team defined the family as a homeostatic systems whose “parts” co-vary with each other to maintain equilibrium Virginia Satir: defined the functional family as an open system where there is an open exchange of communication; dysfunctional families (closed systems) are more rigid and maladaptive.

Satir’s Conjoint Family Therapy Treatment Goals Establish trust Develop awareness through experience Create a new understanding of and among members Have family express and apply new understanding Have the family use their new behaviors outside therapy

Key event: The opening of the Washington Institute of Family therapy in 1974 Key players: Salvador Minuchin The family therapy model developed there has three roots: 1. Strategic therapy 2. Theories of the Palo Alto group 3. Structural theory of Minuchin

Strategic Family Theory Asserts that family problems exist in order to protect the family from disintegration Problematic relationships are at some point useful Counseling should intervene in order to “interrupt” the protective yet problematic patterns5

Role of therapist in Strategic Theory Directives serve 3 purposes: 1. To facilitate change 2. To keep the therapist’s influence “alive” during the week 3. To stimulate family reaction Therapist’s role: 1. Attend to what is the “nature of the problem (as defined by family members) 2. Focus on how the family is attempting to resolve the problem & evaluate

Structural Family Theory Counselor becomes involved with family members, pushing and being pushed Emphasis is on “action” during therapy Minuchin believed the therapist should be “unique themselves” Requires that family members are willing to take risks

Characteristics observed in structural family therapy Bringing the family transactions into counseling space Counselor alternating between participating and observing as a way of “unbalancing” the system by supporting one member against the other Different types of responses to family members’ intrusion into each other’s psychological “space” Minuchin: “In families that are too close, I artificially create boundaries between members by gestures, body postures, movement of chairs, or seating changes. My challenging maneuvers frequently include a supportive statement: a kick and a stroke are delivered simultaneously…….I rarely remain in my chair for a whole session. I move closer when I want intimacy, kneel to reduce my size with children, or spring to my feet when I want to challenge or show indignation. These operations occur spontaneously; they represent my psychological fingerprint.

Transgenerational Theory Key Player: Murray Bowen Core concept = differentiation of self “How people differ from one another in terms of their sensitivity to one another and their varying abilities to preserve a degree of autonomy in the face of pressures of togetherness”

Bowen: Two different systems of human functioning (1) Emotional & Reactive System (2) Intellectual and Rational system The degree to which these two systems are fused or undifferentiated is the degree to which the individual is vulnerable to the impulses of his or her emotional system and less attentive to his or her intellectual and rational system.

Concepts: Family Projection Process (FPP) Suggests that the ego differentiation achieved by children will generally approximate that of their parents. High level differentiation = well-defined sense of self and low emotional reactivity Low level differentiation = poor sense of self and high emotional reactivity

Concept: Triangulation When two poorly differentiated parents who are overwhelmed with anxiety seek relief by involving a third party (the child) This is how low level differentiation is passed on. Bowen’s ideas and concepts are extended in McGoldrick’s work with genograms.

The Process of Change First order change Occurs when a family modifies problem behaviors yet maintains its present structure; focus is on changing family behaviors not the family structure. Second-order change Refers to transformations in either the structure of internal order of the family; focus is on altering the basic structure of a family system.

Interventions (General) Specific factors: counseling activities that are specific to a particular counseling approach Nonspecific factors: change-producing elements present in regardless of theoretical orientation Best known and empirically researched is working alliance.

Working Alliance (Bordin, 1994) Three components: 1. Task: in-therapy activities for participants 2. Goal: the outcomes that are the target of intervention 3. Bond: the positive, personal attachments between client(s) and counselor

Common Element: The Family Interview (5 Stages) 1. Social - greeting the family and helping them feel comfortable 2. Problem - each person is invited to define the problem 3. Interaction - all members talk together about the problem while the counselor watches and listens 4. Goal-setting - family members are invited to speak about changes everyone wants from therapy. 5. Ending - directives are given and next appointment is scheduled.

Research & Family Systems Therapy Support for family therapy as an intervention with: substance abuse depression parenting delinquency some DSM IV conditions such as schizophrenia, agoraphobia, etc.

Research by Hampson & Beavors (1996): 434 families treated in a family therapy clinic in Dallas Found the following predictors of successful treatment: -# of family therapy sessions attended -Third-party ratings of family competence -Self-ratings of family competence -Therapists’ ratings of working alliance

Limitations of Family Therapy Often seen as too directive “Family” is a culturally determined phenomenon; beware biases! Ignores the different socialization processes operating for men and women