Family Systems – Fall 09
• Introduction – There is no single theorist or approach that can be called Family Systems. Family therapy has roots in a number of disciplines, and today can have a variety of approaches that are called family systems or family counseling. We are going to deviate from the text because some of you will go on and take Addicted Family Intervention in the spring semester and the models and main ideas will be covered thoroughly in that course.
• Main elements of systems theory:
• The concept behind family therapy is that it is a systemic approach. Systems theory developed in 1968 as an alternative to Newtonian science. Traditional Newtonian science was reductionistic – break complex phenomena into smallest parts, and was linear in attempt to understand parts. System theory looked at living things as open system – understood by their interrelationship and organizing principles. Paid attention to consistent patterns of interaction, not to linear relationships. Open systems interact with their environment, taking in and discharging information or energy through boundaries that are sufficiently permeable to allow interactions to take place. The system has subsystems that interact in a predictable manner within the context of the larger system.
• From a systems perspective, individuals are best understood as part of a whole. The symptom is viewed as serving a purpose for the family, as a way to express some larger problem within the context of the family. The patterns within the family are seen in context of the larger family unit – the intergenerational patterns that are passed along unconsciously. As one part of the family unit changes, other parts must change as well. Hence, a counselor working from a systems perspective will view an individual's problems within the context of the family, even if they are only working with the individual.
• The family as a system is greater than the sum of its individual parts. The parts are related to one another such that any change in one of the parts will have some effect on the others. Each part is related to one or more of the other parts in a reasonably stable way during any particular period of time. Listen to the family – or look at the genogram – who talks to whom? Where are the connections and disconnections? The family is nested – like the Russian dolls – in larger systems such as extended families, communities.
• The family system performs functions – the task of a family is for members to be productive in other social networks. To develop, shape and help members to grow in social and emotional competence. Teleological refers to the purposeful actions of a family. Sometimes what the family presents as problems are simply unhealthy or unsuccessful attempts at reaching their goals. Have to look what purpose they symptom serves.
• The family system develops system and subsystem boundaries – demarcation or dividers among and between family members and outside world. See below for discussion of boundaries.
• The family system is ever evolving, creating a balance between change and instability. Events happen that cause family to shift and re-group, find a new balance, new organization.
• Family behavior is best understood from a circular causality rather than linear. Linear thinking is that A causes B which causes C. Circular thinking understands that there are loops that occur between events and outcomes, and the interplay among the parts is important. Perception of events is important, meaning people make of them. (phenomenology) It helps to look at the sequence of events and see if there is a point at which the family has gotten unbalanced, or has become too rigid and inflexible in the face of change.
• Key Elements in Family therapy
• The text differentiates between various models of family therapy. Rather than examining each of the models, I want us to look at some basic elements of family therapy, discuss which model the element comes from, and talk about how we can use the elements without being family practitioners.
• Open-closed systems: Boundaries range between open and closed depending on how permeable the contact is. Rigid boundaries discourage closeness and are described as a closed system. Closed family systems are inflexible, often stagnant, with strong rules and injunctions. Boundaries that are too rigid cause “disengagement” – lack of connection with one another. Open systems are flexible, growth-promoting, allowing for creativity and free-flow of ideas. Opposite spectrum – some families have boundaries that are too loose – cause “enmeshment” – lack of differentiation among members.
• Roles – literature in addiction field has defined roles in families. Identified patient, enabler, hero, scapegoat, lost child, clown. Other family literature looks at gender-roles – nurturer/caretaker, breadwinner. Terms vary but the essence of the roles is how one assumes responsibility in the family. Use that role as a way to cope or fit within unit.
• Triangulation or triads - Two people may recruit a third person into the relationship to reduce the anxiety and gain stability. Bowen saw triangulation as negative (two against one); Satir sees times that triads can be beneficial to family functioning.
• Communication - Each family has communication patterns. Virginia Satir talked about 4 common communication patterns in closed families:
• i. Placatory – in words they say they agree (I'm here to make you happy), but their body says they feel worthless; their insides say I feel nothing, I am worthless.
• ii. Blamer – their words say they disagree (you never do anything right); their body looks angry; but their insides are saying I'm lonely and unsuccessful.
• iii. Computer – words are ultra reasonable (if one were to observe carefully, one might notice the work worn hands of someone present here); their bodies show calm, cool and collected, but their insides feel vulnerable.
• iv. Distracter – words are irrelevant; their body is off somewhere else. Inside they feel like no place for them and no one cares.
• Rules – strong messages that govern the family. Can be spoken or unspoken – are the “should's” and “shouldn'ts” that operate the interactions in the system. Rules are learned directly and through observation of parents. Healthy families have rules that are relevant, flexible, and consistently applied.
• Rituals – provide a way for families to connect, to control overwhelming emotion in a crisis, and to celebrate transitions. Rituals are often passed down through cultures and intergenerational families. Rituals provide a sense of predictability and a way to enact values.
• Goals of family therapy – the goals vary depending on the theory but overall we can say that the goal is to intervene and help individuals and families change to relieve distress. Some approaches, such as Bowen's, are more prone to wanting the individual to become differentiated within the system, while others, such as Minunchin, want to restructure the family. Adlerians give power to the parents, and Satir wants to promote growth and healthy communication. In next semester's Addicted Family Intervention class we will cover each of the theories in more detail.
• HOMEWORK – be sure to complete your final paper for next week. The Student Manual has some questions that can help you formulate your ideas
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