1 / 27

Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories. Lay of the Land. Two closely related philosophical traditions inform family therapy approaches: Systems theory Social constructivism Traditional theories draw more on systemic theory.

ernestg
Download Presentation

Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

  2. Lay of the Land • Two closely related philosophical traditions inform family therapy approaches: • Systems theory • Social constructivism • Traditional theories draw more on systemic theory. • More recent theories draw from social constructionist.

  3. Systemic Foundations • The Macy Conferences (1940s): • A group of scholars and researchers met to discuss how groups of things operate to form a“system.” • Several“systems” theories developed from these meetings. • Early family therapies integrated these systems concepts. • Systems Theories • A unique philosophical view of human behavior.

  4. Foundational Systemic Thinkers • Some of the contributors to systemic theory: • Gregory Bateson • Heinz von Foerster • Milton Erickson • Bradford Keeney

  5. Systemic Assumptions • General Systems Theory • Systems operate using the same basic principles. • Cybernetic Systems Theory • Closely related, but more focused on social systems. • Most influence on family therapy. • They are self-correcting, moving towards dynamic homeostasis.

  6. Homeostasis and Self-Correction • Homeostasis in families refers to the unique set of behavioral, emotional, and interactional norms that create stability for the family or other social group. • Not static but dynamic. • The key to maintaining stability is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback.

  7. Negative and Positive Feedback • Negative feedback • Nonew information, system remains the same – homeostasis. • Positive feedback • Yes, new information is coming in, system is changing. • In most systems, response to positive feedback is return to homeostasis.

  8. Change and Communication • First- and second-order change: • Second-order change: change after positive feedback. • First-order change: system returns to previous homeostasis after positive feedback. • Concept is helpful when working with complex family dynamics • “One Cannot Not Communicate” • All behavior is a form of communication.

  9. Communication-Report and Command • Report • Content, the literal meaning of the statement. • Command • The metacommunication— how to interpret the communication. Serves to define the relationship. • All behavior is a form of communication. • Arguments appearing to be over “little things” are really about how the relationship is being defined in relation to those little things.

  10. Double Binds • Two people in an intense relationship with high degree of survival value • Within the relationship, message is given that is structured with: • a) primary injunction (request or order) and • b) a simultaneous secondary injunction that contradicts the first. • Receiver senses that he/she cannot escape or step outside the cognitive frame of the contradiction.

  11. Relationships-Symmetrical & Complementary • Symmetrical relationships • Each party has symmetrical or evenly distributed abilities in the system. • Complementary relationships • Each party has a distinct role that complements the other, often resulting in a form of hierarchy. • Examples include: pursuer/distancer, emotional/logical, easy-going/organized

  12. Family as a System • Defining feature of systemic approaches to family therapy is viewing the family as a system; an entity. • No single person orchestrates the interaction patterns. • All behavior makes sense in context. • No single person can be blamed for family distress. • Personal characteristics are system dependent.

  13. Second-Order Cybernetics • Applying systemic principles to the observing system (i.e. the therapist) • The creation of a new, observer-observed system: a second-order (or level) of system. • Therapist can no longer assume to be a neutral, unbiasedobserver. • Remain aware of how therapeutic behavior shapes that of the client.

  14. Social Constructivist Foundations • Most influential in development of new psychotherapy models. • Ex: Solution-focused, collaborative, and narrative therapies • Textual Metaphor • People “story” their lives to create meaning. • Relational Focus • Maintains an emphasis on relationships and relational construction of reality

  15. Social Constructivist Theorists • Foundational Theorists include: • Kenneth Gergen • First introduced social constructionist ideas in 1985 laying the foundation for the development of this approach; notably Collaborative Therapy. • Sheila McNamee • John Shotter • Michel Foucault

  16. Postmodern Assumptions • “Truths” &“realities” are constructed, language and consciousness develop meanings — the value of an object • Different schools of postmodern emphasize different levels of reality construction: • Linguistic Level: Post-structuralism & Philosophy of Language • Person Level: Constructivism • Relational Level: Social Constructionism • Societal Level: Critical Theory

  17. Postmodern Assumptions • Reality is constructed through language. • Language is not neutral. • Words fashion our identities, identify what is and is not a problem. • Reality is negotiated through relationships. • Meanings attributed to life experiences are not developed alone. • Meanings a person gives are always embedded in a web of relationships.

  18. Postmodern Assumptions • Tradition, Culture, and Oppression • Culture provides a set of values that its members use to interpret their lives. • Provides a framework for safety and effectively interacting with others. • Selecting certain goods and values over others creates labels of judgment. • Cultural oppressiveness is directly correlated with reflexivity.

  19. Postmodern Assumptions • Reflexivity and Humanity • A culture remains humane to the extent that it is reflexive, able to examine the effects of itself on others and to question and doubt its values and meanings. • Within any group there are some people for whom the dominant cultural norms “fit” and those for whom they do not.

  20. Postmodern Assumptions • Social Constructionism, Postmodernism, and Diversity • Suspiciousness about singular “truths” has affected the practice of most therapies. • Norms of human behavior are relative because they are established by one group. • Diverse people each have their own reality and truths.

  21. How to Choose a Theory Dating vs. Marrying Theories • “Play the field” before deciding which theory works best for you. • Dating a few theories increases: • Skill and knowledge base. • Awareness of who you are and your style as a therapist.

  22. Defining Your Philosophy • Settling Down With One Theory • Clarify for yourself: • Whatit means to be human (ontology). • Howpeople learn and change (epistemology). • Commits also to the broader philosophy of the theory’s foundation. • 4 major categories of family therapy theories: modernism, humanism, systemic, and postmodern

  23. Modernism • Founded on logical-positivist assumptions of an external “Truth.” • Therapist is an expert, assuming role of teacher or mentor. • Two family therapy schools: • Psychodynamic • Cognitive-behavioral therapies

  24. Humanism • Founded on phenomenological philosophy that prioritizes the individual’s subjective truth. • Supportive, nurturing environments promote therapeutic change. • Includes: Carl Roger’s client-centered therapy, Fritz Perl’s Gestalt therapy, Virginia Satir’s communications approach among others

  25. Systemic Grounded in general systems theory and cybernetic systems theory. Emphasize‘contextual’ truth. One cannot not communicate; all behavior is a form of communication. An individual’s behavior and symptoms always make sense in the person’s broader relational contexts.

  26. Postmodern • Based on the premise that objective truth can never be fully known. • Objectivity is not humanly possible. • Language and words greatly affect how one’s identity is shaped/experienced. • Three influential schools: Constructivism, social constructivism, and structuralism/poststructuralism

  27. Committing to a Theory • Mastering one theoretical approach and the underlying philosophical assumptions enables deeper understanding of other theories. • Allows for integration and adaptation of ideas from other approaches while staying philosophically consistent with one’s own approach.

More Related