You did a good job pointing out the structural family therapy and the systems within the family structure. How structural family therapy understand a family system is when the family system is stabilized by each family members contribution to the family system as a whole. By each member’s contribution, the subsystems hierarchy is set and power or who is in charge is allocated within the appropriate individuals/subsystems. The subsystems they rely on each other and more is expected from one person than another (Becvar & Becvar,2013). So for example: A couple dates and a year later yet married. Six months after getting married the woman finds out she is pregnant and nine months later a child is born. There is now a shift in the family system. Roles are now set in place and the mother is the nurture and the father becomes the disciplinarian as the child…
In this paper I will be describing how the first two session of the Brice family went. I will talk about what systems approach to therapy was used, and will include how Whitaker and Napier conceptualized the family’s difficulties. I will also describe how this differs from an individual understanding, and will talk about what specific interventions they used to support their systemic understanding of this family.…
Structural Family Therapy (SFT) is a method of psychotherapy developed by Salvador Minchin that focuses on the family dynamics. It is considered the most influential family therapy worldwide according to Stupart (2014). The primary purpose of the different approaches to the psychotherapy is to help people feel differently, and change their thinking and behavior (Stupart 2014). The goal of SFT is to join the family system in therapy to determine any dysfunctional relationships and how to heal them while reestablishing the family unity. This is achieved by simply by modifying the way the family interacting with other and by developing appropriate boundaries.…
Understanding how a family works and interacts is the key objective of a therapist. In…
SFT is a family systems approach in which the family is looked at as whole rather than individual units. Solution-focused techniques are organized around two fundamental strategies which are to develop a well-focused goal and generate a solution (Nichols, 2014). Therapists who use solution-focused therapy choose interventions from behavioral and cognitive treatments. Many of the techniques used are goal setting, scaling, identifying, miracle question, and solution talk. Hepworth et al. (2013) states “The solution-focused therapy approach involves practical procedures and techniques that can be readily learned and applied in many practice situations” (p. 437). Nichols (2014) states “Solution-focused therapists assume that people are resilient and resourceful” (p. 227). Solution focused therapy is one approach one could use when working with Selena and her family. This intervention was most beneficial as this approach allows Selena to emphasize on the identification of solution, rather than resolving problems. It also allows Selena to emphasize on her own strengths and attributes which also promotes a positive image of herself and her capacities (Hepworth & Rooney, 2013). The solution focused approach brings about empowerment and positive change within oneself. The intervention also asserts that Selena has the right to determine her desired outcome which encourages long lasting change. It gives Selena a since of control over her own life. With solution focused therapy, the principle of the intervention is that the client is the expert of their life and the therapist takes the stance of curiosity and uses questions and responses (Nichols, 2014). There is, however, substantial evidence of the effectiveness of the approach in practice settings and with different populations (Hepworth & Rooney, 2013). There is evidence in the effectiveness of SFT with…
Structural family therapy (SFT) is rooted in family systems theory, but it is unique in its focus on family structure and its preference for remaining grounded in the here and now (Vetere, 2001, p. 133). For structural family therapists, family wholeness is the most important goal and individual symptoms are viewed as the result of dysfunctional family transactions (Lappin & Minuchin, 2011). When the family structure is reorganized, the family can interact functionally and harmoniously (M. Reed, personal communication, July 28, 2015). This paper explains the structural theory of family dysfunction, the conditions necessary for change, the primary goals of SFT, the role of the structural family therapist, and the multicultural and gender implications…
The Mental Research Institute (MRI) was founded by Jackson. He was heavily influenced by Bateson and developed the Brief Therapy Project. Nichols (2013) noted “What emerged was an elegantly brief approach based on interrupting vicious cycles that occur when attempts to solve problems only make them worse. Unlike today’s therapies, which are brief by default, the Palo Alto approach was brief by design. (p. 100).…
Nichols, M. P. (2012). Family therapy: Concepts and methods. (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Pearson Education Inc.…
Discuss the challenges of a student nurse in establishing therapeutic engagement with service users; using clinical examples and theoretical frameworks to illustrate points of discussion.…
This research paper will in detail find influences donating to the degeneration of African American marriages, increase of African American divorces, and how structural family therapy can impact it. Structural Family Therapy was developed by Salvador Minuchin and his associates in the 1960s due to the growing curiosity in alternative ways of hypothesizing suffering and familial dilemmas. Structural family therapy is reinforced by an undoubtedly expressed model of family functioning, and has been developed and used reliably in counseling sessions for children and their families (Ginginch & Worthington, 2007, 343). Also, this report will examine what can be done to change this disturbing status amongst African American families. Monetary, emotional, and cognitive stability are a few of the common reasons and profits of marriage. Studies have discovered that marital couples in contrast to unattached couples are better-off, healthier, less stressed, and tend to live well into their mid-80s (Pindgerhughes, 2002, p. 269). Thus, there are numerous welfares of being married; it could be assumed that matrimony would be a shared objective for most citizens regardless of race. However, studies have publicized a radical deterioration of marriages inside the African…
Cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches to therapy seem to offer contrasting modes of treatment for psychological difficulties, largely due to the fact that they originate from very different theoretical and philosophical frameworks. It seems likely, therefore, that treatment for a woman experiencing depression, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy will proceed along very different lines according to each approach. There do appear to be some features, however, which are common to all effective ‘talking’ therapies, notably rooted in the therapeutic relationship itself and in the qualities and skills of the therapist, whatever their persuasion.…
The psychodynamic approach claims that childhood experiences have an impact on adult behaviour. Some experiences that occur in childhood are too traumatic to deal with so the memories of these events are repressed as the ego is too weak to cope with them. Later in life these repressions can resurface as abnormalities thus needing to seek therapy. One of the major treatments in psychoanalysis is free association. This treats the abnormality my making the repressed memory conscious, curing the abnormality and then being helped through the memory.…
In both forms of therapy, providers are not seen as the experts, they seek to form a collaborative relationship, and both seek to avoid predicting, interpreting or pathologizing when working with their client. A difference between SFT and Narrative therapy would be, the SFT therapist is seen as a cheerleader or coach while the narrative therapist is more of an active listener who shows empathy and curiosity. Both forms of therapy are effective and assist clients in focusing on solutions rather than…
The therapist will help the family learn to communicate by modeling and many different exercises that will help them develop better communication skills. The structural approach is used when the family structure is out of balance. The family therapist will help align the family structure by establishing the roles and responsibilities of each family member. The family systems approach is used when the family is not working as a team, but as an individual entity. A family connection and boundaries must be set with the help of the therapist for this approach to be successful. The strategic family approach will help families develop rules and spread out the power within the family dynamic. The family therapist will also help a family work on a pattern of behavior that is appropriate for each family. A therapist will use tools from behavior therapy and behavior modification therapy with the social learning approach. This approach helps members of a family cope with issues and teach them basic skills in communicating, interacting, and behaving as a family unit. A family therapist will use the narrative approach when helping the family identify and describe their problems by comparing them to stories, fables, movies, etc. (Shearor, Horejsi, & Horejsi,…
In this essay I will discuss and evaluate “The relationship is the theory” Judgements are based on personal knowledge & experience as well as written material composed by others. The basic principle being “the therapy is the relationship”, does this imply engaging a therapist equates to therapy or does it propose more?…