Brief History:
The school of family therapy chosen to review and apply to the Aleppo families’ case study, is known as Structural Family Therapy or SFT. Structural family therapy was created by Salvador Minuchin, he was born in Argentina and served in the Israeli Army, he passed away in October 2017 in the United States at the age of 96. (Everipedia, 2017) He travelled to the United States and trained in child psychiatry. Salvador evolved on his method of therapy while working at The New York School for Problematic Boys, in the 1960’s. By the 1970’s his mode of therapy had become one of the worlds widely practiced therapy’s. This method of therapy is used to address the problems of functioning present in family systems. This type of therapy
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He also emphasized that human experience has 2 elements, the element of belonging, and the element of being separate/individualised. This mode of therapy can be distinguished as having emphasis on the family structure, in the context of the therapy settings. This kind of therapy does not seek to create new structures within a family, but it aims to reform the structures which work best for the family. “The family structure is the invisible set of functional demands, which organises how the family members interact” (Minuchin, 1974). Some of the invisible sets of functional demands within a family include: collations, power and hierarchy and boundaries in the family subsystem. Family boundaries may be clear, normal, weak, diffuse or rigid. The therapist must try to restructure the system, by observation and manipulation of interactions within a session. Behavioural sequences form a basis for hypotenuse of the families structure. Enactments and interactions are suggested to the family by the therapist as a way of understanding and diagnosing the structure, this provides a room for re-structuring and intervention within the family’s system. Structural Family therapy is systemic as it idealises that the best way to positively affect an individual is to influence change for the entire system (Bishop, …show more content…
In Structural Family Therapy, a therapist would be recognised as belonging to this school as they would work with the family closely, on where dysfunctions in the system are present, they do so by creating new patterns of interaction within the family. When the new pattern are repeated within a family, this will improve the context of the system. By stabilising and replacing the old unhelpful patterns and symptoms within the system, it is able to reduce or eliminate the families dysfunctionality Some of the things a Structural Family Therapist can be seen doing include, maintaining a focus on altering the dysfunctional family’s structure by creating effective hierarchy’s. A Structural Family Therapist views problems as failures with adjusting to change. The therapists role is not to solve the problem, instead it’s to allow the family to take control of their own problem, and work together to solve the conflicts within the system. The family is seen as their own expert to their situation, not the therapist. In therapy the therapist assists the family to strengthen boundaries in the enmeshed relationships and weaken the boundaries in the disengaged relationships. (Nichols, M. P., & Schwartz, R. 2008). A SFT
This provides analytical approach to families with problems of low and bad structure in the family relations. Also, Structural Family Therapy is a therapy session that requests the therapist to be involved and active as well in the therapy sessions (www.psychotherapy.net ,video). Therefore, during the video of the family of three which is made up of Adrian, Judy, and Pam. Adrian and Judy are a married couple and the parents of Pam. Adrian and Judy has been through numerous therapists to comprehend their daughter’s Pam anger problem.
Consequently, this week’s interpersonal/relational wiki proves to have a strong focus on therapies that analyze the core of relationships. Thus, the similarity that stood out was the depiction of relationships. Most of the models rely heavily on a client’s relationship, either with self, family, or society. While each model focuses on one’s relationship/s, each model differs in its perception of where relationships fail, how they are empowered and what role the therapist plays. In Relational-Culture Therapy (RCT) the therapist empowers clients through growth fostering relationships; Family Systems Theory (FST) the therapist remains neutral and creates structure; Adlerian therapists model social behaviour; Gestalt therapists create space for
Family is one of the most sacred and wonderful groups in the world, but the effects on its members are not universally positive. Sometimes, ordinary family bonds are broken, and the family unit becomes an agent of great destruction. Within abnormal situations like these, we can often see more clearly a person ’s problem solving ability. Due to a lack of support from family members, they can be sent into more primitive instincts of survival.
There is a growing complexity and diversity in families. Family systems theory provides a foundation for analysis of such complex and diversified families, making it easy to understand for effective therapy (Zastrow &
A brief comparison between narrative therapy and family therapy will also be given. Overview of the two theories Narrative Therapy Narrative therapy is best known for being used by Michael White and David Epston. Narrative therapy commonly involves a shift in focus from more theories that can be seen as traditional. A collaborative approach is often encouraged and the therapist is also encouraged to show special interest and listen respectfully to the client’s stories. The therapist should also avoid diagnosing and labelling clients but rather enable the client to often separate themselves from the most dominant story of their life to provide a space where alternative life stories can be created (Corey, 2014).
If the family members cannot think through their responses to relationship dilemmas, a state of chronic anxiety may be set in place. According to Brown (1999.), the primary goal of family systems therapy is to reduce constant tension by enabling knowledge and awareness of how the emotional system functions; and by improving levels of differentiation, where the aim is to make changes for the self rather than on trying to change others. As per Richardson, Gilleard, Lieberman, and Peeler (1994), The short-term goal is to foster better relationships between family members of the different generations by understanding the family system with its rules and balances of power and to mobilize the system by reconstruing these rules and having the family observe its own
While focus is on enhancing the individual's wellbeing, a systemic approach of counselling and psychotherapy such as using family therapy views individuals as being influenced by members of the systems they are in. Genograms help assess the client in the context of their complex family relationships (McLeod 2013). For an effective therapeutic alliance, it is vital to employ effective therapeutic skills which are verbal and non-verbal methods to communicate
Family structure talks about family arrangement and composition which includes the roles and interactions (Edelman, 2014). According to Minuchin (2012), the family structural theory emphasis on the important of the family structure and its changes that occurs and how the individuals in the family relate collectively over time to put up and accept each other. Minuchin says further that a well-functioning family will choose how to solve and handle the family experience with a positive outcome. The goal of a structural family is to express the strengths in each other in critical moments, and helping each other through it. Developmental theory is the methods used as the viewpoint of family tasking and development through phases of life (Edelman, 2014).
The theory looks at many aspects of the family such as atmosphere, constellation, and goals, plus, respect is given to both children and adults. In this system interventions are suggested for children and adults. The limitations of the Family Systems Theory are, too much is focused on homeostasis at the expense of change and patterns at the expense of unpredictability. Moreover, on the system at the expense of the individuals.
A dysfunctional family is defined as one that is consistently unable to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Over time, the family develops a set of restrictions that inhibit the social and emotional growth of its members, particularly the children. Rigid restrictions are put in place to ensure consistency in behaviour in an effort to achieve a predictable and therefore 'safe' environment. Often the dysfunctional family evolves due to the occurrence of co-dependency in one or both of the parents, who in all likelihood, were raised in a dysfunctional family themselves.
In mapping this communication, the eight principles measured by Brown may become apparent not only to the therapist, but for the first time, the family may be able to see just how their functions are impeding the balance of their family and condoning strong exhibitions of universal traits within particular family members. The Bowen family therapy approach is invested in the intergenerational processes that are prevalent between generations (Bohlinger, 2010). By increasing differentiation between family members and between the generations, if possible, giving each triangle meaning rather than repetitive opportunities at increasing anxiety (Bohlinger, 2010). Focusing on this historical perspective, the origin of the family and environmental factors that surround the progress of this family, the genogram focuses itself on growth and self-actualization as the ultimate goal for the intervention (Nichols,
This is seen when the understanding of femininity evolved from females being expected to stay at home and ensure the well-being of the family; to the present times, where women can be employed and contribute to the financial stability of the family (Langen, 2005). In this way social constructionism can be said to helpful in family therapy in that it recognises the different values and perceptions upheld in large cultural or ethnic groups, and how they help define a functional family relative to a specific time in history (Robideau, 2008). It also recognises that the meaning and interpretation of a reality is created and can be altered through conversation (Robideau,
Family systems therapy is basically evaluating the family system functioning as a unit and there are a few types of family therapy that uses this approach such as “structural family therapy, intergenerational family therapy and strategic family therapy” (Family Solutions Institute MFT Study Guide). The approach I think most useful would be structural family therapy which examines the family relationships, styles and common attitude during a therapy session. This allows the therapist to get a better understanding of what is going on in the family and the best way to solve
The goal of first two sessions is to enhance the growth potential of the individual, the self-actualization. Therapy was set to integrate the needs of each individual family member for independent growth with the integrity of the family system (Satir & Baldwin, 1983). It also entails the installation of hope, helping the family and its individual members enter therapy to develop a positive feeling. Helping refocus the family off of the presenting problem or symptom and on to the strengths within the family. Like Satir’s growth-oriented approach, the intervention focuses on the transformation of the individual rather than an attempt to eliminate or extinguish
This framework states that the actions of one family member affects all other members. The family is also an environment that develops roles and rules for each member. When challenges arise, the family naturally tries their best to restore an equilibrium and return to their normal roles and rules. This theory has a great deal of merit to me because it explains an individual’s development in the context of their family. When choices are made, there is a possibility for multiple lives to change and adjust to it.