Harry Aponte’s extensive resume and association with Minuchin’s work of structural therapy has assisted him with developing a unique therapist style that has prepared him to work with various backgrounds. Mr. Aponte is not afraid to ask the questions necessary to strength the family structure. In addition, he is willing to challenge the family to be open about their dysfunctional structure and provides avenues to a solution. Mr. Aponte strength is the ability to quickly join the family structure which is the first therapeutic technique in SFT. Due to Mr. Harry’s direct questioning, he produced a variety of feelings and thoughts within the Taylor family. During the session, the family experienced: sadness, avoidance, happiness, understanding…
Choose two family systems therapy theories that you are interested in learning more about and applying to the family subsystem you analyzed in the Unit 5 assignment. Write a paper in which you describe the central concepts, goals, and typical interventions of each model, using scholarly sources (journal articles, books, or edited book chapters) to support your writing. Your paper must use a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources for each model.…
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.…
According to the case example on “The Art of Family sculpting” the experiential therapy session was therapeutic for the family, and they was able to express their emotions and roles of the drawing. In structural family therapy, they focused on the family structures, assumptions, expectations, boundaries and etc. the structural family therapy theory is that problems occur due to lack of adapting to changes or phases in life. In the case study on the structural family therapy, I really like that the family was able to opened up and work on the family problems after experimenting in a family play activity that rekindle their experiences and excitement of family interactions. As well as the parents deciding to work on their…
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…
Family dysfunction results from a combination of stress and failure to realign themselves to cope with it. Stressors may be environmental (a parent is laid off, the family moves) or developmental (a child reaches adolescence, parents retire). The family’s failure to handle adversity may be due to flaws in their structure or merely to their inability to adjust to changed circumstances. All families face situations that stress the system. Although, there is no clear dividing line between healthy and unhealthy families, healthy families modify their structure to accommodate to changed circumstances, whereas dysfunctional families increase the rigidity of structures that are no longer effective. Structural assessments take into account both the problem the family presents and the structural dynamics they display. And they include all family members (Nichols & Schwartz, 2004).…
Similarly, the concept of gift giving and receiving can lead to ethical concerns where some counselors and clients are not open to accepting gifts of any sort. Depending on cultural values, some clients might view counselors’ rejection of gifts as being disrespectful and may tarnish the counseling relationship that was built.…
One of our main objectives as future counselors is to understand individual clients is to first gain an understanding of family background. Working with family from a systems perspective, the counselor is able to gain an understanding to the ways in which family members interact, what the family norms and expectations are, how effectively members communicate, who makes decisions, and how the family deals with needs and expectations (Edleman & Mandle, 2002). In the concept of systems theory, a family can exist within a community (suprasystem) and at the same time have smaller relationships within that family (subsystems). By composing genograms, or family tree, one can see information on family relationships, health patterns, occupations, and religion. By composing an ecomap one can see information on how a family and its members interact with larger systems or smaller subsystems. The term family can be defined as "a group of individuals who are bound by strong emotional ties, a sense of belonging, and a passion for being involved in one another's lives (Wright & Leahey, 2000).…
However it was developed much earlier, with the contribution of multiple psychologists and approaches. First we have Alfred Adler, who focused on siblings and parents relationship and psychological birth order in one’s family. Second is Murray Bowen, who was one of the original developer of the therapy, from psychoanalytic principle and referred it as multigenerational family therapy. Following psychologists were Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, who focused mostly on the therapist and the family relationship and more (Corey, 2005). Three major family system approach are structural family therapy, strategic family therapy and intergenerational…
Structural family theory is a technique employed by social scientists that offers perspectives and tactics that strengthen and examine the familial unit (Walsh, 2014). Developed by Salvador Minuchin, structural family theory looks at the unspoken rules within a family and how they affect the organization of the unit. It is the job of the social worker to accurately identify the patterns, presented rules, and their effect on the family. Structural family theory encompasses many concepts; a few of them being, subsystems, boundaries, and rules. Subsystems refers to the functional, normal interactions and alliances between two or more members within a family system (Walsh, 2014). Internal boundaries are “…barriers that regulate the amounts of contact that members or subsystems are expected to have with each other (Walsh, 2014).” Whereas, external boundaries are “... the separation of the family unity from outside systems (Walsh, 2014).” “Rules are the behaviors and responsibilities to which each family member is expected to adhere (Walsh, 2014).” Structural family theory is unique from other social theorems in that this theory is adaptable to many different venues or situations, such as within the business world. Structural family therapy also affords the therapist to use seemingly unorthodox intervention methods, such as social media.…
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,…
Structural family therapy is a model of treatment based on systems theory that was developed by Salvador Minuchin. Structural family therapy features emphasis is mostly on structural change as the main goal of therapy; it pays close attention to the individual but also acknowledges the importance of family in the healing process of the individual.…
ntegrating the Family Theory into practice is looking at the family dynamics, understanding the patient as a part of the family unit, and the family's ability to comprehend the healthcare system (Hadock, n.d). There are many components of the family that can affect the patients' health. By involving the family in care both the patient and family can see improved patient outcomes (Gruenewald, Gabriel, Rizzo, & Luhrs, 2017). Some of these components include communication, roles in the family, and coping mechanisms (Årestedt, Persson, & Benzein, 2014 & Tomlinson, Peden-McAlpine, & Sherman, 2012). While there are many components that family may play a part in these are key components that one will concentrate on.…
Your post was very informative and comprehensive and interesting. The Eco-Structural Family Therapy ( ESFT) system sounds like an impressive plan to help with the Robertson's dilemma. Because you mentioned that the Eco-Structural Family helps to build and nurture the family and I think that this method will be a great place for the Roberson's to start in order to move forward during their sessions. Also, another reason I like the ( ESFT) approach is because the system also focus on strength based and emotional approach that helps both the adults and the children, which in my opinion will greatly benefit the Robertson…
In general, family systems therapy works to decrease family stress, as well as helping members become more distinguished, and change coalitions and alliances in the family to bring about modification. These focal points are determined through certain strategies to reach goals in as well as to develop new styles of resolving problems. Family systems theory rely on members becoming healthy and differentiated the family unit begins to change and adapt and in a healthy approach, this leads to better functioning and relating between…