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
Derrils school
Jean is concerned about more effectively
managing Derrils 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 individuals 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 the 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
 Bowens Family Systems
Theory
Central Constructs
Differentiation of self
Chronic anxiety
Triangles
Emotional distance
 Bowens Family Systems
Theory
Theory of the Person
Differentiation is the essential feature of
human life
Individuality and togetherness need to be
balanced
 Bowens Family Systems
Theory
Dysfunction
Three different patterns
Conflict in the couples relationship
Dysfunction in a member of the parental
couple
Dysfunction in a child
Poor differentiation of a member in the
family
 Bowens Family Systems
Theory
Nature of Therapy
Assessment
Role of the client
Role of the counselor
Goals of therapy
 Bowens Family Systems
Theory
Process of Therapy
Family learns about the operation of family
systems
Family members observe their own family
patterns
 Bowens 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 Cons
Bowens emphasis on Neutral stance
multigenerational Constructs based on
issues the patriarchal
Role of therapist as system
active, expert Reinforce traditional
coach, or leader family structure
Focus on
differentiation