Family Systems Theory Paloma Franco BA Judy Juarez

Family Systems Theory Paloma Franco, BA | Judy Juarez, BA | Ashley Arnold, BS Azusa Pacific University

What we will cover today: What is a family? Cultural Awareness Background of FST Four Major Approaches • • Satir Structural Strategic Bowens Faith Component Application to Student Affairs

FAMILY: Household: Particular societal construct whereby persons are related by ancestry, marriage, adoption, or choice. Residential unit in which members share resources. These units vary in membership and composition. A household is not always a family (parents and children), and a family is not always a household (because it may be separated geographically). (Zinn, Eitzen & Wells, 2008)

What is a family?

Cultural awareness • Some of the criticisms of FST is that it upholds a model of white, middleclass families that is not applicable to individuals from other cultural or ethnic origins (Murdock, 2004). • FST often assumes: • patriarchal and cultural biases

Cultural awareness • Ethnicity • Language • Customs and Traditions • Generations • Religion • LGBT • Economic status

ACTIVITY:

Fst background There is still some question on whether doing Family System therapy without the complete family group represent is effective. (Murdock, 2004) • This theory is considered one of the major schools of counseling and psychotherapy • It can be used with individual clients • Theorists believe that they can best understand the individual through understanding his/her experiences as a member of the family

Fst background Family system theorist are considering the best way to approach helping individuals is to see them in context, as a part of a larger system, and they tend to focus on the relationships among individuals who are members of the system (Beckvar & Beckvar, 2003)

GOALS OF FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY: • To enhance the self esteem of family members (Woods & Martin, 1984) • To release the blocked potential of families and engaging the healing powers of the client (Satir, 2000) • To bring awareness and change in the social system (e. g. , the family) as in the individual. (Murdock, 2004)

FST BACKGROUND ACTIVITY: FAMILY AS A SYSTEM 6 Volunteers The family is interconnected, and influences on one part of the system will affect other parts. (Murdock, 2004)

Four major approaches: SATIR STRUCTURAL STRATEGIC BOWENS FST

Satir approach • • Virginia Satir 1916 -1988 Satir was known worldwide as a pioneer in the development of family therapy. Satir saw her approach as helping people gain a sense of their wholeness and potential and a commitment to individual awareness and expression, self-fulfillment, and individual growth.

Underlying Philosophy or Assumptions: • Past generations, has a significant influence on our attitudes and behaviors. • Each person contains all the resources one needs for growth and healthy functioning. • The result of dysfunctional family systems is low self-esteem and defensive behavior, as the basic drive of human beings is to enhance self-esteem and defend against threats to it. (Marley & Rasheed. J, Rasheed. M, 2011)

Central constructs: self esteem affirmation • The degree to which the individual values • himself regardless of the opinions of others (Satir & Baldwin, 1983). People with low self worth are anxious and uncertain about themselves and overly concerned with other's evaluations of them.

Central constructs: self mandala • Philosophy was that our self was composed of many different parts and that each of these parts had to be nurtured each and every day in order for us to be content and fulfilled. Satir's parts of the self are described below: (Marley & Rasheed. J, Rasheed. M, 2011)

Central constructs: communication • • Functional Families: Communication is; clear, complete, congruent communication in which there are clear roles and rules to govern family processes. Open system: a clear interchange of information and resources within and without the system that is adaptive and dynamic • • Dysfunctional Families: Communication is; indirect, unclear, vague, dishonest, distorted, and incomplete Poor communication results in low self esteem, which can trigger an individual to inappropriate response, especially in times of high stress

• • • Central constructs: Family rules The rules by which a family operates can be overt or covert. If one is not happy, one is bad and disobedient; this assessment can lead to low self-worth. Flexibility and age appropriateness are also important to family rules. Rules should also allow for diversity among members' ways of operating in the world, and also should allow for members to share information freely. Family secrets are a no-no in the Satir approach. (Murdock, 2004)

Process of therapy: • • • Stage One: Contact o A counselor's job is to attempt to create an atmosphere of hope and trust o The counselor must make it obvious for family members what they have observed and to make clear what family members often know completely Stage Two: Chaos (Complete disorder and confusion. ) o When one family member ventures into risky territory. o Therapist helps the individual to reveal hurt, pain, and. or anger that has previously remained hidden o Therapist helps the individual stay in the present Stage Three: Integration o The family finds a way to move on the issue that created the chaos, o Develops new ways of being, and some closure is gained on the pivotal issue.

Structural therapy

Structural therapy: history Salvador Minuchin • 1921, Born and raised in Argentina History Beginnings: o Worked at the Wiltwyck Center where he: § Began to think about Family therapy in his work with low income African American families. o Wrote book Family of the Slums o Left Wiltwyck and began working at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic o Worked with difficult clients o Families of anorexic girls o Learned the most about family structure through observing psychosomatic families o Structural therapy was prominent in the 1970’s

Quick facts about Structural Therapy • Structural therapy intent is to change the structure of the family system, which then will impact the experiences of its members. • Structural therapy is active and focused on the present. "The tool of this therapy is to modify the present, not to explore and interpret the past" (Minuchin, 1974). • The personality of Minuchin is confused with the qualities and roles of the structural therapist, because Minuchin includes his feelings about families and life experiences as part of therapeutic process. Therapy Goals To restructure family organization To change dysfunctional transitional patterns • • (Corey, 2009)

Central constructs Family Structures • "Family structure is a set of rules that tells who talks with whom, who plays with who, (and in what ways), and so forth” (Murdock, 2004) Subsystems • Smaller group within the family, such as • also known as coalitions Boundaries • Important because they protect the morals of the subsystem • Disengaged: boundaries are too rigid • Enmeshed: boundaries are unclear

Theory of person and development of the individual Four main stages of family development: Couple Formation Families with young children Families with school-age or adolescent children Families with grown children

Theory of person and development of the individual The Individual • The identity of the individual is composed of a balance between individuality and belonging • In a healthy family, the individual can maintain good balance between individualization and belonging to the family. • In an unhealthy family, the individual struggles or does not have good balance between individualization and belonging to the family. • Individuals in disengaged families: allows a lot of individuality • Individuals in enmeshed families: expects less individuality and more of loyalty and conformity Patterns • Detouring or scapegoating When a parental dyad is openly split. . • Parent- Child Coalition • Triangulation (Murdock, 2004)

Nature of therapy • Assessment • Atmosphere Process of Therapy Joining: The structural therapist leads the system but they also must become a member of it Therapeutic Techniques 3 Strategies: Challenges are made to the a) view of the symptom b) family structure c) family reality (Murdock, 2004)

Nature of therapy a) View of the symptom Techniques Reframing To change how the family views the symptom: • Enactment • Focusing • Achieving intensity b) Family Structure Techniques • Boundary Making: use to create better boundaries within the family structure • Unbalancing: intentional to changing the hierarchy of the family • Teaching complementarity: allows the member to become aware of their behaviors and how that impact the family as a whole which then changes the way the family looks at the problem (Murdock, 2004)

Nature of therapy c) Family reality Techniques (Paradoxical) Emphasizing on the strengths that the family already possesses. Role and function of therapist: "Friendly uncle" or promoter of change (Corey, 2009)

Strategic therapy

Strategic therapy Jay Haley 1923 -2007 • Combined structural family therapy with ideas of hierarchy, power, and strategic interventions. • Master's in Arts and Communication • Influenced by communication dynamics and the work of Milton Erickson Cloe Madanes 1941 - • Another leading advocate of strategic therapy was Cloe Madanes, who was also at married to Haley. • Founded the Family Institute in Washington, D. C. in 1970's • This therapy became the most popular family therapy approach by the 1980's. (Corey, 2009)

Strategic therapy History(continued) • Developed from the work of early systems theorist from Bateson and What is Strategic Therapy? colleagues at the Mental Research Therapist initiates goals and Institute in Palo Alto, Ca creates an approach for each Haley (1974) views family problem as problems. "real" problems that need real answers. Symptoms are seen as ways to Haley spent 10 years working communicate. Minuchin. Therapist evaluate the family • • • Goal • To solve the presenting problem • • through observing their interactions

Strategic therapy: central constructs Communication • Digital • Analog (or Metaphoric) On hierarchies, just because an unfair hierarchy does not indicate as a justification that one should change it as a therapist. (Murdock, 2004)

Strategic therapy: theory of person and development of the individual Theory of Person Strategic therapist do not have a theory of personality Do not explore on healthy people and families Important life stages in Strategic Therapy (According to Haley, 1973) 1. Courting period 2. Early Marriage 3. Childbirth and dealing with the young 4. Middle age 5. Weaning parents from children 6. Retirement and old age The impact of hierarchy Within the family structure. . • Having problematic hierarchies creates problems in families because there is an unbalance • Problematic hierarchies are linked rigid behavior within the family Confused hierarchies can also occur in healthy family structures

Strategic therapy: nature of therapy Nature of Therapy • This therapy does not have a formal assessment (or diagnosis) because they believe that "diagnostic labels" are risky. • Psychoactive medication should be discontinued Process of Therapy • Haley (1974) first counseling session with family • Mandatory for everyone to be there Five Stages: 1. Social 2. Problem 3. Interaction 4. Goal Setting 5. Getting to know members (Murdock, 2004)

Strategic therapy: therapeutic techniques • Directives - is use with the primary goal of getting people to change their behavior • Straightforward directive • Paradoxial directive • Reframing - changing the way the problem is viewed • Role and Function of therapist: Active director of change (Corey, 2009)

Bowens family systems therapy (BFST)

history • Dr. Murray Bowen • Began his theoretical work with Schizophrenia. • Best known for two pioneering advances in family therapy: • He experimented with hospitalizing the entire families of schizophrenics, practicing family group therapy. • Personal analysis of his own journey to differentiate from his family of origin.

Central constructs

Differentiation of self The ability of a particular family member to remain in contact with and connected to the family system while also maintaining emotional autonomy. LOW • Reactive; they respond based on emotions HIGH • Solid sense of self. They are clear about where they end and others begin. Their behavior are guided by their own principles and cognition rather than emotional factors.

Central constructs Chronic Anxiety Triangles Emotional Distance

Nature of therapy • Assessment: Informal questioning & formal (Genogram) • Coaching • Goals: to help the individual(s) differentiate from the family of origin.

Therapeutic techniques • No real "technique" instead, Bowen emphasized "understanding of the family system" • Process questioning 3 Methods by which the client works toward differentiation of self: 1. Establish person-to-person relationships with members of the family 2. Learn to be a better observer of family interactions, and better at controlling emotional reactions 3. Detriangling

My big fat Greek wedding

Ordinary people

Usefulness for Helping within Student Development Work:

Usefulness for Helping within Student Development Work: 1. The importance of environmental variables (e. g. , family) in the creation and/or maintenance of problems • The focus would be more effective with students if it acknowledged family dynamics and dysfunctions rather than just the students problems

Usefulness for Helping within Student Development Work: 2. The importance of families in students' lives. • Oftentimes, family closeness is regarded as a source of support for students; however, it can also be strong sense of stress for the student and may need to be addressed when helping students face the pressures of college.

Usefulness for Helping within Student Development Work: 3. Extending the principles of system theory or family therapy to groups (fraternities/sororities, RA staff teams, organizations, etc. ) may not only help the individuals in psychological distress but also the development and health of these larger social circles.

Usefulness for Helping within Student Development Work:

Compatibility with Christian/Faith Based Worldview: • • Recent interest in exploring the FST and spirituality Spirituality defined as "ways related to the sacred" God as a member of a relational system "Family Systems Theory, or Bowen Theory as it is often called, is rapidly becoming one of the most popular methodologies utilized by clergy (i. e. ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, deacons, etc. ) and other faith leaders" (as cited in Center for FST of New York webpage)

Questions?

References: Beckvar, D. S. , & Beckvar, R. J. (2003). Family therapy (5 th ed. ). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Brennan, C. , Eulberg, J. E. , & Britton, P. J. (2011). Improving Awareness of Vulnerabilities to Ethical Challenges: A Family Systems Approach. Journal Of Systemic Therapies, 30(3), 73 -85. doi: 10. 1521/jsyt. 2011. 30. 3. 73 Broderick, C. B. (1993). Understanding family process, basics of family systems theory. Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8 th ed). Belmont: Thomson Brooks/ Cole. Satir, V. (2000). The therapist story. In M. Baldwin (Ed. ), The use of self in therapy (2 nd ed. , pp. 17 -27). New York: Haworth. Maiden Rootes, K. M. , Jankowski, P. J. , Sandage, S. T. (2010). Bowen family systems and spirituality: Exploring the relationship triangulation and religious questing. Contemporary Family Therapy, 32, (2), 89 -101 Murdock, N. L. (2004). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach. Columbus, Ohio: Pearson Prentice Hall. Reynolds, A. L. (2009). Helping college students: Developing essential support skills for student affairs practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Okun, B. F. (2002). Effective helping: Interviewing and counseling techniques (5 th ed. ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Brooks/Cole. Woods, M. D. , & Martin, D. (1984). The Work of Virginia Satir: Understanding her theory and technique. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 12(4), 3 -11. Zinn, M. B. , Eitzen, D. S. , & Wells, B. (2008). Diversity in families. (8 ed. ). Allyn