Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family Therapy

The Family Systems Stressor-Strength Inventory (FS3I) is a tool used to evaluate and measure stressful conditions occurring in families and assist clinicians in developing intervention activities for individual members. By using this instrument, strengths and weaknesses of family functioning can be identified. The FS3I involves independent completion of the instrument by each member of the family prior to the interview with the clinician. After completion of the instrument, the clinician assesses the family on each of the stressful conditions from a general and specific perspective. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used to define the intervention required to establish equilibrium within the family (Kaakinen, Gedaly-Duff, Coehlo, &

The Double ABCX model provides a tool for assessing post-crisis variables in families. Interestingly, not all families go into crisis but instead they achieve a balance in functioning by either bonadapting or maladapting. While others may go into crisis and maladapt which was the situation with my family 30 years ago.

Further application of system theory to communication involved the idea that families are governed by family rules and maintained homeostasis within the family via positive

In today’s world, families are dynamic and interdependent systems. The developmental processes of the children in the family are deeply affected by how the family system operates. However, a family’s structure does not determine whether it is a healthy family system or not. Today, families consist of single parents, stepparents, divorced parents, remarried parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They are all able to contribute to a healthy functioning family system by meeting each family member’s needs and encouraging positive communication (Jamiolkowski, 2008). Unhealthy family systems have negative and possibly

Developed by Carter and McGoldrick (1988), the family life cycle views dysfunction in relation to normal functioning, It frames problems within the course of the family as a system moving through time. The individual life cycle takes place within the family life cycle (Carter & McGoldrick, 1988, p. 4). The foundation of the theory assumes that all families go through predictable change precipitated by life events and sometimes-unpredictable events (Azar, 2017b, 6). As these changes are occurring, the family must be able to adapt accordingly in order to avoid dysfunction. This may involve tasks that must be negotiated as they become more complex, and new roles and operations.

The ways in which a family communicates messages with each other plays a key role in shaping the lives of each individual family member. Humans have always belonged to and identified with their families even before they could speak or form any other social group. Family members not only rely on each other to be there for emotional and social support, but also shape how individuals identify themselves. Therefore, the quality of family relationships greatly impacts the quality of life for most people. (Koerner & Schrodt, 2014)

B., Baldwin, L. M., Bishop, D. S. (1983), Based on the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF), the FAD measures structural, organizational, and transactional characteristics of families. It consists of 6 scales that assess the 6 dimensions of the MMFF - affective involvement, affective responsiveness, behavioral control, communication, problem solving, and roles - as well as a 7th scale measuring general family functioning. The measure is comprised of 60 statements about a family; respondents (typically, all family members ages 12+) are asked to rate how well each statement describes their own family. The FAD is scored by adding the responses (1-4) for each scale and dividing by the number of items in each scale (6-12). Higher scores indicate worse levels of family functioning. The FAD has been widely used in both research and clinical practice. Uses include: (1) screening to identify families experiencing problems, (2) identifying specific domains in which families are experiencing problems, and (3) assessing change following treatment” (Epstein, N. B., Baldwin, L. M., Bishop, D. S.,1983). Epstein et al. (1983), noted that the FAD assessment has been found to have high levels of internal consistency across a variety of different types of families (Epstein et al.,

The identified problems in the family are the lack communication, rigid boundaries, and weak subsystems within the family. The structural family therapy focuses on the interactions with the family rather than focusing exclusively on the identified person or patient (Nichols, and Tafuri, 2013). In addition, through utilizing, the structuralism approach, the family will be able to think beyond symptomatic behaviors and see their choices and process relationships between group members and other systems (Vetere, 2003). The family will also be able to broaden their understanding of how each family member contributes to the problem or communication patterns within the family (Nicols et al., 2013). Furthermore, based on the research structionalism will encourage the family to problem solve in a safe therapeutic environment (Vetere, 2003). In therapy, the family will be able to express their feelings and thoughts without judgments or bias from the therapist.

The Friedman Family Assessment is a tool used to assess the “family as a whole, as part of the whole of society, and as an interaction system” (Lancaster & Stanhope, 2008, p. 569). The Friedman Family Assessment has certain assumptions for the families that are assessed with this tool. These assumptions include the families are “a social system with functional requirements, a small group possessing certain generic features common to all small groups, as a social system accomplishes functions that serve the individual and society, and individuals act in accordance with a set of internalized norms and values that are learned primarily in the family through socialization” (Lancaster & Stanhope, 2008, p. 569). The

The FACE III assessment is divided into two main parts, and each part subdivides into 20 questions related to Cohesion and Adaptability in the Family. All answers are asked to be numbered from 1 to 5 with 5 indicating ‘ALMOST ALWAYS’ while 1 indicated ‘ALMOST NEVER’. The first part of the assessment included questions that DESCRIBE the family environment and structure in terms of Cohesion and Adaptability, while the second part of the assessment contained the same questions but the respondent is asked to answer as to how the IDEAL family would be for him. The structure of the FACE III is similar to that of SFI. FAD on the other hand, contains 53 unit questions which fall into 7 categories Problem Solving, Communication, Roles, Affective Responsiveness, Affective Involvement, Behavior Control, and General Family Functioning. The answers ranged from Strongly Agree, which was represented with number 4, to Strongly Disagree which was represented with number 1.

Partners each completed the 32-item Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1976), a self-report measure of marital satisfaction. Scores range from 0 to 151, with higher scores indicating marital satisfaction. Items reflect levels of satisfaction, affection, cohesion, and the amount of disagreement in the relationship. The DAS has been shown to have good internal consistency, with alphas typically in the low to mid .90’s (Spanier, 1989), as well as good test-retest reliability and discriminant validity (Spanier, 1976, 1989). Internal consistencies of .89 and .87 were found in the overall sample for husbands and wives, respectively (Atkins et al.,

Bowen family systems theory and therapy techniques are one in the same with regards to conceptualization. Theory and therapy operate on a continuum and not as a dichotomy. According to Bowen family system theory, patterns are repeated throughout past generations and continue in the present, which is termed multigenerational transmission process. It is important to examine and correct patterns otherwise they are continuously repeated in future generation. Early life experiences with bonding and attachment are relevant to the memories and patterns of interaction between family members and are influential to current levels of functioning.

Marriage and Family Therapy is a brief solution-focused form of psychotherapy used to treat a wide array of problems ranging from depression and marital problems, to alcoholism and schizophrenia, in a couple and family system context. Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) are trained and licensed mental health professionals who are capable of diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within those systems. They are required to have a master’s or doctoral degree with specialized marriage and family therapy training. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) also requires MFT’s to have a minimum

As a future marriage, couple, and family counselor it is important for me to have an awareness and understanding of the various theories that are available to use in counselling sessions. As my career evolves, so will my therapeutic orientation. I expect that my theoretical lens will shift slightly. In addition, developing my therapeutic orientation will help enhance my abilities as a therapist. My theoretical lens as it applies to human nature is discussed in this paper as it relates to the Marriage, Family, and Couple theory I selected. Also, discussed in this paper are techniques, factors, goals, related to the Bowen Family Systems theory. This paper will also provide an overview of the eight

In system theory, behaviors and family members responses influence the family pattern and life. Meanings and values are vital components of the