The Boundaries Of The Family System

A family, according to Bowen is a system in which each member of the family has a role to play and rules to respect. Members of the family system are expected to respond to each other in a certain way according to their role, which is then determined by relationship agreements. Within the boundaries of the system, patterns develop as certain family member's behaviour is caused by and causes the other family member's behaviours in predictable ways. So by maintaining the same pattern of behaviours within the system may lead to balance in the family system, but also to dysfunction. For example, if a wife or husband is depressive and cannot pull herself or himself together, the husband/wife may need to take up more responsibilities to pick up
By studying the clients patterns of behaviour, and how the client relates to those of a multigenerational family will reveal all new and more effective options for solving problems and for changing the response to the automatic role we are expected to play. It all starts with the request being the first thing on the agenda and sets out the responsibility and authority and the first thing we ask the client “ how can we help you?” “what is it that we can do for you?” “why are you here?” Once we are told what the request is, it is written down for the client to see, practitioners and for our selves. It is written down so that if we get off topic we can look at the request and know why the client is there and to stay on topic. The client is why we are here, to listen to them and find out the problem and then help them so they can help them selves. The problem is broken down into; What is the problem? The history of the problem backwards; how have you and others dealt with/ tried to solve the problem; the management and treatment history of the problem, by whom, what, where and how; what have you been told about this problem. Learn from the client if it's a interaction problem, inside or outside problem and learn the turning
Next the power and responsibility and who has what the client with the responsibility and counsellor the authority. It is important to remember that the counsellor is the one who will always have the authority and the client is to take all the responsibility. Good questioning skills are very important knowing when to use difference questioning and when to use liner and open ended questioning. It is important to make the client feel as comfortable as possible, the more comfortable the more relaxed the more the client will open up but all that can't be done with out trust. So building a good re-pour all starts with trust so trust is the most important