Family Systems Theory Chapter 11 The Case of

Family Systems Theory Chapter 11

The Case of Jean and Derril Jean 42 -year-old divorced African American female Derril 12 -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 Constructs Self-esteem Self Mandala Communication Primary Triad Family Rules

The Satir Approach Theory of the Person No 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 Dysfunction Healthy 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 Therapy Assessment Role of the client Role of the counselor Goals of therapy

The Satir Approach Process of Therapy Stage 1: Contact Stage 2: Chaos Stage 3: Integration

The Satir Approach Therapeutic Techniques Family sculpting Family stress ballet Communication analysis Therapist communications Touch Family thermometer Parts party

Process of Therapy Phase One Emphasis is on symptom reduction First session Establishing the working relationship Goal setting Socializing the client Guided discovery Phase Two Exploration of schemas

Structural Therapy Central Constructs Family Structure Subsystems Boundaries

Structural Therapy Theory of the Person Interested in the development of the family An individual’s personal identity is composed of a balance between individuality and belonging

Structural Therapy Health and Dysfunction Healthy 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 Therapy Assessment Role of the client Role of the counselor Goals of therapy

Structural Therapy Process of Therapy Joining of therapist with the family Therapist continuously moves in and out of family interactions

Structural Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Enactment Focusing Achieving intensity Boundary making Unbalancing Teaching complementarity

Strategic Therapy Central Constructs Communication Hierarchies

Strategic Therapy Theory of the Person No formal theory of personality Important life stages

Strategic Therapy Health and Dysfunction Healthy 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 Therapy Assessment Role of the client Role of the counselor Goals of therapy

Strategic Therapy Process of Therapy Therapist works with the family to formulate a solvable problem First session

Strategic Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Directives Reframing Exaggerating the hierarchical problem Pretend directives

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Central Constructs Differentiation of self Chronic anxiety Triangles Emotional distance

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory of the Person Differentiation is the essential feature of human life Individuality and togetherness need to be balanced

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Dysfunction Three different patterns Conflict in the couple’s relationship Dysfunction in a member of the parental couple Dysfunction in a child Poor differentiation of a member in the family

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Nature of Therapy Assessment Role of the client Role of the counselor Goals of therapy

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Process of Therapy Family learns about the operation of family systems Family members observe their own family patterns

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Therapeutic Techniques Process questioning Taking the I-position

Evaluation of Family Systems Approaches Qualities Precision Testability Empirical validity Research Support Outcome research Theory-testing research

Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity Pros Bowen’s emphasis on multigenerational issues Role of therapist as active, expert coach, or leader Cons Neutral stance Constructs based on the patriarchal system Reinforce traditional family structure Focus on differentiation