Family Systems Theory

1. Family Systems Theory Psychology 454 Dr. Katz

3. Introducing Family Systems What is family systems theory? Discuss the origins of FST Origins of Psychopathology 5 approaches: Communication Structural Milan Strategic Narrative Credits

4. What is Family Systems Theory? It is a model of psychotherapy Views the family as a whole Prevention & intervention efforts focus on the family Changing ones behavior can influence other members Where does FST come from? - Focus on family & family interactions To be successful in helping Helping prof. meets with all family members May include extended family or significant others as friends & coaches -They influence each other- Focus on family & family interactions To be successful in helping Helping prof. meets with all family members May include extended family or significant others as friends & coaches -They influence each other

5. General History The family systems approach began in the 1950�s Bateson group included Gregory Bateson � anthropologist Jay Haley � communication expert John Weakland � engineer Don Jackson � psychiatrist Interested in communication styles -by the bateson project in palo alto, CA. before that, psychoth just focused in the indv. - such as double-bind messages (impossible to satisfy requests) & metamessages (say one thing and mean another)-by the bateson project in palo alto, CA. before that, psychoth just focused in the indv. - such as double-bind messages (impossible to satisfy requests) & metamessages (say one thing and mean another)

6. General History Cont�d 1960�s Milan Associates and the approach developed The communication approach was developed by Virginia Satir Salvador Minuchin developed the structural approach Strategic approach was developed in the 1980�s The narrative approach was developed recently Maria Selvini-palazoli & colleages formed the in 1967 in the mid 1970s jon haley left bateson group he teamed w/ others to dev the strategic approach 80s late 80s early 90s by White & Epson The rest of the team will go into further detail about each approach� Maria Selvini-palazoli & colleages formed the in 1967 in the mid 1970s jon haley left bateson group he teamed w/ others to dev the strategic approach 80s late 80s early 90s by White & Epson The rest of the team will go into further detail about each approach�

7. Interactions between members can be a major contributor to behavior and functioning problems. �� the dysfunction resided in the family as an interrelated system and not only in one family member� (Plante, 59). Family members as potentially active agents of dysfunction and recovery. Opposed to sole identified patient as person manifesting sx, bx, and attitudes.

9. How can we help? 5 main approaches for treatment Communication Approach Structural Approach Milan Approach Strategic Approach Narrative Approach

10. The Communication Approach Developed by Virginia Satir (1967) and colleagues at the Mental Research Institute (MRI)

11. The Communication Approach (continued) Problems in effective communication contribute to family problems. These problems are often due to� unspoken or unreasonable expectations unspoken or unreasonable rules unspoken or unreasonable assumptions

12. The Communication Approach (continued) Maladaptive Communication Styles: Placating Blaming Super-reasoning Irrelevant

13. The Communication Approach (continued) Instead, a therapist would encourage family members to utilize congruent communication. Congruent communication focuses on expressing genuine feelings.

14. The Structural Approach Developed by Salvador Minuchin (1974) Focuses on restructuring relationship patterns within family

15. The Structural Approach (continued) Emphasizes the role of appropriate and adaptive levels of� Enmeshment: over-involvement in the lives of other family members Disengagement: over-detachment from other family members

16. The Structural Approach (continued) Also emphasizes more functional, balanced, and hierarchical family relationships

17. The Structural Approach (continued) In order to join the family and restructure family dyads, the therapist may actually rearrange seating in the therapy session

18. The Structural Approach (continued) Restructuring the family system prevents maladaptive enmeshment and disengagement Leads to a more functional and balanced family

19. The Milan Approach

20. Developed by Jay Haley and others like Milton Erickson around the 1970s-1980s Assumes that any attempt to change a member or set of members within a family system will be met with resistance and sabotage (conscious or unconscious) Resistance must be overcome to promote improvements in behavior Paradoxical techniques: Reverse psychology Reframing: Finding the positive interpretation of negative behaviors

21. M. White, 1986; M. White & Epston, 1990 Family members conceptualize their problems and concerns through a series of stories about their lives and the lives of family members. These stories often include negative and blaming attributes. The therapist objectively helps highlight the restraining influence these thoughts and stories place on people. They are asked to discuss family stories and examine what beliefs and myths play a role in current family functioning The Narrative approach

22. Credits We hope you enjoyed our presentation. Carla Camacho Daniel Carroll Emilio Valadez Michael Hayrapetian Myda Krboyan Rebecca Durant Sandy Morales Xenia Castillo