FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY

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A Written Report Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School San Pedro College, Davao City

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject GUIDANCE AND CONSELING

by

KAREN JAE GRANT CABRILLOS

April 2013

INTRODUCTION Family is the smallest social group in the human societies. It is both an association and institution. In general, it consists of a man and women with a child or children. It is the most universal of all groups, associations and institutions of human society based on emotional ties. It occupies a nuclear position in the social organization with unlimited responsibilities of its members. Its structure and functions change with time. A variation in culture, social system and social value brings variations in family types. We come across various types family in human society. On the basis of size and structure it may be nuclear, conjugal and extended family. With the change of time and necessity, the functions of family have undergone a sea change. The functions which were traditionally performed by the family are now being shifted to some secondary institutions because the modern family fails to give traditional protection for the aged, diseased, mentally retarded, physically handicapped etc. Family is no longer a self- sufficient unit. It is more a consumer unit than a producing center. In spite of the changes in the functions of family in modern time, the family is still persisting as one of the most important institutions because the traditional functions of family have been modified than lost. Family systems theory is a body of knowledge that has arisen out of the observations of clinical & counseling psychologists as they work with individuals and their families. The theory suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals, none of whom can be understood in isolation from the system.

The Family Systems Perspective Family systems perspective holds that individuals are best understood through assessing the interactions between and among family members. Symptoms are often viewed as an expression of a set of habits and patterns within the family. The perspective is grounded on the assumptions that a clients problematic behavior may (1) serve a function or purpose for the family, (2) be unintentionally maintained by family processes, (3) be a function of the familys inability to operate productively, especially during developmental transitions, or (4) be a symptom of dysfunctional patterns handled down across generations. Written in the book of Corey by Becvar in 2006 that one central principle agreed upon by a family therapy practitioner, regardless of their particular approach, is that the client is connected to living systems. Attempts at change are best facilitated by working with and considering the family or relationship as a whole. Therefore, a treatment approach that comprehensively addresses the family as well as the identified patient is required. Because a family is an interactional unit, it has its own set of unique traits. Differences between Systematic and Individual Approaches There are significant differences between individual therapeutic systemic approaches. A case may help to illustrate these differences. Ann, age 22, sees a counselor because she is suffering from depression that has lasted for more than 2 years and has impaired is ability to maintain friendships and work productively. Both the individual therapist and systemic therapist are interested in Anns current living situation and life experiences. Both discovered that she is still living at home with her parents, who are in their 60s. They note that she has a very successful older sister, who is a prominent lawyer in the small town in which the two live. The therapists are impressed by Anns loss of friends who have married and left town over the years while she stayed behind, often lonely and isolated. Finally, both therapists note that Ann s depression affects others as well as herself. It is here, however, that the similarities tend to end:

The individual therapist may: Focus on obtaining an accurate diagnosis, perhaps using the DSM-IV-TR Begin therapy with Ann immediately

The systemic therapist may: Explore the system for family process and rules, perhaps using a genogram Invite Anns mother, father, and sister into therapy with her

Focus on the causes, purposes, and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes involved in Anns depression and coping. Be concerned with Anns individual experiences and perspectives

Focus on the family relationships within which the continuation of Anns depression makes sense

Be concerned with transgenerational meanings, rules, cultural, and gender perspectives within the system, and even the community and larger systems affecting the family.

Intervene in ways designed to help Ann cope

Intervene in ways designed to help change Anns context

Systemic therapists do not deny the importance of the individual in the family system, but they believe an individuals systemic affiliations and interactions have more power in the persons life than a single therapist could ever hope to have. By working with the family- or even community- system, the therapist as a chance to observe how individuals act within the system influences(and is influenced by) the individual; and what interventions might lead to changes that help the couple, family, or larger system as well as the individual expressing pain. The Development of Family Systems Therapy Family systems theory has evolved throughout the past 100 years, and today therapists creatively employ various perspectives when tailoring therapy to a particular family. This section presents a brief historical overview of some of the key figures associated with the development of family systems therapy.

Adlerian Family Therapy Alfred Adler was the first psychologist of the modern era to do family therapy (Christensen,2004). His approach was a systematic long before systems theory had been applied to psychotherapy. Adler (1972) was the first to notice that the development of children within the family constellation (his phrase for family system) was heavily influenced by birth order. Adler was a phenomenologist, and even though birth order appeared to have some constancy to each position, he believed it was the interpretations children assigned to their birth positions that counted. He also noted that all behavior was purposeful and that children acted in patterns motivated by desire to belong, even when these patterns were useless or mistaken. It was Rudolf Driekers (1950,1973), however, who refined Adlers concepts a typology of mistaken goals and created an organized approach to family therapy. A basic assumption of modern Adlerian family therapy is that both parents and children often become locked in repetitive, negative interactions based on mistaken goals that motivate all parties involved. Multigenerational Family Therapy Murray Bowen (1978) was one of the developers of mainstream family therapy. Bowen and his associates implemented an innovative approach to schizophrenia at the National Institute of Mental Health where Bowen actually hospitalized entire families so that the family system could be the focus of therapy. Bowens observation led to his interest in patterns across multi generations. He contended that problems manifested in ones family will not be significantly change until relationship patterns in ones family of origin are understood and directly challenged. His approach operates on the premise that a predictable pattern of interpersonal relationships connects the functioning of family members across generations. According to Kerr and Bowen (1988), the cause of an individuals problems can be understood only by viewing the role of fusion to ones family must be addressed if one hopes to

achieved a mature a mature and unique personality. Emotional problems will be transmitted from generation to generation until unresolved emotional attachments are dealt with effectively. One of Bowens key concepts is triangulation, a process in which triads result in a two-against-one experience. Bowen assumed that triangulation could easily happen between family members and therapist, which is why Bowen placed so much emphasis on his trainees becoming aware of their own family-of-origin issues (Kerr & Bowen,1988). A major contribution of Bowens theory is the notion of differentiation of the self. Differentiation of the self involves both the psychological separation of intellect and emotion and independence of the self from others. In the process of individualization, individuals acquire a sense of self- identity. This differentiation from the family of origin enables them to accept personal responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and actions. Human Validation Process Model At about same time that Bowen was developing his approach; Virginia Satir (1983) began emphasizing family connection. Her therapeutic work had already work had already led her to believe in the value of a strong, nurturing relationship based on interest and fascination with those who care. She thought of herself as a detective who sought out and listened for the reflections of self- esteem in the communication of her clients. It was while working with an adolescent girl that it occurred to her to ask about her mother. She was surprised by how her clients communication and behavior changed when her mother was present. As she worked out their relationship, it again occurred to her to ask about a father. When he came in, the communication and behavior of both the mother and daughter changed. It was in working through this process that Satir discovered the power of family therapy, the importance of communication and meta-communication in family interaction, and the value of therapeutic validation in the process of change (Satir &Bitter, 2000).

In her view, techniques were secondary to the relationship the therapist develops with the family. Her experiential and humanistic approach came to be called the human validation process model, but her early work with families was best known as conjoint family therapy. Experiential Family Therapy Experiential family therapy is a school of family psychotherapy developed by Carl Whitaker in the 1960s. It seeks to help individual family members feel more fulfilled and self-actualized by building levels of intimacy and cooperation within the family unit. Experiential family therapy does not typically blame the problems of the family on the qualities of individual family members, but usually examines how family interactions cause problems for individual members of the family. Experiential family therapy generally seeks to help family members communicate and respect one another's thoughts and feelings. Family members are typically encouraged to be themselves and family secrets are usually not encouraged. Problems among individual family members can stem from distance in interpersonal familial relationships, or from the keeping of secrets within the family. Some family members may feel compromised by the demands of the family as a whole. This can impair individuals' abilities to fully express themselves and meet their needs. For Whitaker, family therapy was a way for therapists to be actively engaged in their own personal development. Indeed, therapy might actually help the therapist as much as the family a context in which change can occur through a process of reorganization and reintegration (Becvar & Becvar, 2006). Structural Strategic Family Therapy The origins of structural family therapy can be traced to the early 1960s when Salvador Minuchin was conducting therapy, training and research with delinquent boys from poor families at the Wiltwyck School in New York. Minuchins (1974) central idea was that an individuals symptoms are best understood from the vantage point of interactional patterns within a family and that structural changes must occur in a family

before an individuals symptoms can be reduced or eliminated. The goals of structural family therapy are twofold: (1) reduced symptoms of dysfunction and (2) bring about structural change within the system by modifying the familys transactional rules and developing more appropriate boundaries. In the late 1960s Jay Haley joined Minuchin at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. The work of Haley and Minuchin shared so many similarities in goals and processes that many clinicians in the 1980s and 1990s would question whether the two models were distinct school of thought. Indeed by the late 1970s, structural - strategic approaches were the most used models in family systems therapy. Both models seek to reorganize dysfunctional or problematic structures in the families; boundary setting, unbalancing, reframing, ordeals, and enactments all became part of the family therapeutic process. The structural and strategic models differ somewhat in how each view family problems: Minuchin (1974) tends to see individual and family difficulties as symptomatic whereas Haley (1976) sees them as real problems that need real answer. Both models are directive in nature, and both except therapists to have a certain level of expertise to bring to the family therapy process.

Recent Innovations In the last decade, feminism, multiculturalism, and postmodern social constructionism have all entered the family therapy field. These models are more collaborative, treating clients individuals, couples, or families as experts in their own lives. The therapeutic conversations start with the counselor in a decentered or notknowing position on which the client is approached with curiosity and interest. The therapist is socially active and aids clients in taking stand against the dominant culture that oppresses them. Therapy often incorporates reflecting teams or definitional ceremonies to bring multiple perspectives to the work.

A comparison of Six Viewpoints in Family Therapy

Adlerian Family Therapy Key Figures Alfred Adler Rudolf Dreikers Oscar Christensen & Manford Sonstegard Present with some reference to the past Enable parents as leaders; unlock mistaken goals and interactional patterns in family; promotion of effective parenting Educator; motivational investigator; collaborator Formation of relationship based on mutual respect; investigation of birth order and mistaken goals, re-education Family constellation; typical day; goal disclosure; natural/ logical consequences MultiGenerational Family Therapy Murray Bowen Human Validation Process Model Virgina Satir Experiential/ Symbolic Family Therapy Carl Whitaker Structural Strategic Family Family Therapy Therapy Salvador Minuchin Jay Haley & Cloe Madanes

Time focus

Therapy goals

Present and past family of origin; three generations Differentiate the self; change the individual within the context of the system; decrease anxiety Guide, objective researcher, teacher; monitor of won reactivity Questions and cognitive processes lead to differentiation and understanding of family of origin Genograms; dealing with family of origin issues; detriangulating relationship

Here and now

Present

Present and past Restructure family organization; change dysfunctional transactional patterns Friendly uncle ;stage manager; promoter of change in family structure Therapist joins the family in a leadership role; changes structure; sets boundaries Joining and accommodating; unbalancing; tracking; boundary making; enactments

Present and future Eliminates presenting problem; change dysfunctional patterns; interrupts sequence Active director of change; problem solver

Role and function of the therapist Process of change

Techniques and innovations

Promote growth, selfesteem, and connection; help family reach congruent communication and interaction Active facilitator; resource detective; model for congruence Family is helped to move from status quo through chaos to new possibilities and new integrations Empathy; touch, communication; sculpting; role playing; family life chronology

Promote spontaneous, creativity, and autonomy to play

Family coach; challenger, model for congruence Awareness and seeds of change are planted in therapy confrontations Co-therapy; self disclosure; confrontation; use of self as change agent

Change occurs through action oriented directives and paradoxical interventions. Refraining; directives and paradox; amplifying; pretending; enactments

Family Systems Therapy from a Multicultural Perspective Strengths from Diversity perspective One of the strengths of the systematic perspective in working from a multicultural framework is that many ethnic and cultural groups place great value on the extended family. If therapists are working with an individual from a cultural background that gives special value to including grandparents, aunts, and uncles in the treatment, it is easy to see that family approaches have a distinct advantage over individual therapy. Family therapists can do some excellent networking with members of the extended family. Shortcoming from a Diversity Perspective A possible shortcoming of the practice of family therapy involves practitioners who assume Western models of family are universal. Indeed, there are many cultural variations to family structure, processes, and communication. Family therapist are challenged to broaden their views of individuation, appropriate gender roles, family life cycle, and extended families.

REFERENCES: Corey, G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 8th Ed. Belmont, CA: Brocks/ Cole