Family Systems Therapy

Source: Corey, G. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 9th Ed

Basic Philosophy The family is viewed from an interactive and systemic perspective. Clients are connected to a
living system; a change in one part of the system will result in a change in other parts. The
family provides the context for understanding how individuals function in relationship to others
and how they behave. Treatment deals with the family unit. An individuals dysfunctional
behavior grows out of the interactional unit of the family and out of larger systems as well.

Key Concepts Focus is on communication patterns within a family, both verbal and nonverbal. Problems in
relationships are likely to be passed on from generation to generation. Key concepts vary
depending on specific orientation but include differentiation, triangles, power coalitions, family-
of-origin dynamics, functional versus dysfunctional interaction patterns, and dealing with here-
and-now interactions. The present is more important than exploring past experiences.

Goals of Therapy To help family members gain awareness of patterns of relationships that are not working well
and to create new ways of interacting.

Therapeutic Relationship
The family therapist functions as a teacher, coach, model, and consultant. The family learns
ways to detect and solve problems that are keeping members stuck, and it learns about
patterns that have been transmitted from generation to generation. Some approaches focus on
the role of therapist as expert; others concentrate on intensifying what is going on in the here
and now of the family session. All family therapists are concerned with the process of family
interaction and teaching patterns of communication.

Techniques of Therapy
A variety of techniques may be used, depending on the particular theoretical orientation of the
therapist. Techniques include genograms, teaching, asking questions, joining the family, tracking
sequences, issuing directives, use of countertransference, family mapping, reframing,
restructuring, enactments, and setting boundaries. Techniques may be experiential, cognitive,
or behavioral in nature. Most are designed to bring about change in a short time.

Application Useful for dealing with marital distress, problems of communicating among family members,
power struggles, crisis situations in the family, helping individuals attain their potential, and
enhancing the overall functioning of the family.

Contribution From a systemic perspective, neither the individual nor the family is blamed for a particular
dysfunction. The family is empowered through the process of identifying and exploring
interactional patterns. Working with an entire unit provides a new perspective on
understanding and working through both individual problems and relationship concerns. By
exploring ones family of origin, there are increased opportunities to resolve other confl icts in
systems outside of the family.
Limitation Limitations include problems in being able to involve all the members of a family in the therapy.
Some family members may be resistant to changing the structure of the system. Therapists self-
knowledge and willingness to work on their own family-of-origin issues is crucial, for the
potential for countertransference is high. It is essential that the therapist be well trained,
receive quality supervision, and be competent in assessing and treating individuals in a family
context.