Family Systems Theory Paper

The family system is founded on the notions that for change to occur in the life of an individual, the therapist must understand and work with the family as a whole. In working with the family, the therapist can understand how the individual in counseling functions within his family system and how the client’s behaviors connect to other people in the family. This theory also holds the perception that symptoms are a set of family habits and patterns passed down by generation and not a result of a psychological problem or an inability to change (Corey, 2017). Furthermore, the family system theory holds the idea that when a change occurs everyone in the unit is affected by the change.

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.

In The Family Crucible, Augustus Napier and Carl Whitaker’s form of therapy was strongly influenced by family systems theory, a burgeoning theory of the time. General systems theory examines relationships between elements that constitute a whole (Andreae, 2011, p. 243). When applied to families, this theory views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit (The

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.

Social systems are persons or groups of people interacting and mutually influencing each other’s behavior. According to systems theory, the client would be considered as the focal system (e.g., the primary system of interest) or the holon (e.g., the social entity; simultaneously apart of the whole). The client’s family members would be considered as the subsystems (e.g., composite parts) and their community would comprise the suprasystem (e.g., larger systems), in which they are a part of. A father giving his son advice about life is an example of a subsystem interaction. These types of healthy interactions condition the child to believe that the parent is the driving force within their life, which influences the child as they

The systems Perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems with interrelated and interdependent parts; as defined by its boundaries. Changing one part of the system affects other parts and the whole system, with predictable patterns of behavior (Hutchinson, 2015). The family system has been a widely used theory of family interventions and assessment. The family systems theory is focused on the family dynamic, involving structures, roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and power relation (Rothbaum, 2004). Many theorist such as Bowen, developed the systems theory that focuses on how a

Comparing Bowen’s family systems theory and Minuchin’s structural family theory we will outline several fundamental categories for analysis with Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) as our guide. We also contrast the history and theoretical orientation of both men to garner a deeper understanding of their theories. Finally we will consider integrating elements of both theories and how this makes us more effective practitioners.

The family structure is made up of individuals living together in intimate groups with the purpose of caring and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, spoken and unspoken, are developed by the family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time in order to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major change within the family system. This paper applies the concepts of systems theory to the family system in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heart-warming film telling a story of a young woman who flees from Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind

The case study of Ana will be analyzed using the Bowen Family Systems Theory Approach. Bowen Family Systems Theory is a theory of human behavior that views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit (Kerr, 2000). This paper will discuss the concepts of the theory that is appropriate for this case study; the reason this theory was chosen over the other ones; counseling goals and intervention strategies in accomplishing those goals; and designation of

Dr. Murray Bowen, a psychiatrist, offered us the family systems theory. This theory views the family as an emotional unit, further providing a thinking systems approach to describe the complex interactions in the unit. Bowen offered, “A change in one person’s functioning is predictably followed by a reciprocal change in the functioning of others” (Kerr, 2000). If one person within the family unit is having a difficult time, it effects everyone within the family unit. An example of this would be a father who is the primary breadwinner for his family suddenly loosing his job. Prior

Applied Family Systems Theory: Structural Family Therapy Structural family therapy, stemming from the applied family systems theory, focuses on identifying and exploring several aspects of the family unit in order to move the family toward their therapeutic goal. The family unit being a living open system in which the parts function interdependently (Colapinto, 1991). It is important to note that within the family systems theory, everything happens in a family has a purpose, and each interaction is used to achieve that purpose (Bitter & Carlson, 2017). The significance of understanding this from the beginning will lead to a more effective practice of the therapy because goals of each individual family member and the family as a whole are identified this way, which will likely lead to a conceptualization of the family unit.

After a thorough review of the textbook and the course material, the specific family system approach that I choose to explore is the Bowenian Approach for this literature review. This specific family system approach is also known as the Bowen Family System Theory as well (D.V. Papero, 2006). The Bowen Family System Theory was established by Murray Bowen, a theorist and psychiatrist who specialized in treating children who were deranged and had schizophrenia (Rockwell, 2010). In the 1950s, Bowen wanted to explore a new venture so he decided that he wanted all of the family members of each child to be involved in an therapeutic process at the same time (Rockwell, 2010).

Within every family exists a system within itself. Family systems theory proposes that each family member affects the other, which contributes to the overall dynamic of the family system. In every family, there are three concepts that govern how a family functions, whether positive or negative. Homeostasis is how members attempt to keep order and control, feedback is how they communicate and bond with each other, and boundaries are how the family creates clear lines of contact between each other and the outside world (Lander, Howsare, & Byrne, 2013). When events occur within each family, members adapt to maintain order and cohesion, and consequences are inevitable.

Family structure theory is influential in helping the nursing professionals identifies how family members interact with each other to form baselines. The interactions of the family member with one another helps establish behavioral patterns by which the nursing professionals can focus while assessing various aspects such as why, how, and under what conditions family members behave in their assumed roles. The family structure theory also provides direction regarding the organization of the family and how the family members can adopt when they encounter modifications, diseases, and crisis (Edelman, Elizabeth & Mandle, 2014). The nursing professional can facilitate improvement in family functioning when the Family Structure Theory reveals that

Consequently when two individuals exhibiting low levels of differentiation form a family they continue or replicate the patterns of family structure, roles, responsibilities (Multigenerational Transmission Process) as well as three emotional mechanisms in response to relational anxiety (Nuclear Family Emotional System concept) as would have been employed within their family of origin (Bowen, 1966; Brown, 1999). Furthermore, Bowen explains spousal conflict or dysfunction of parents does not necessarily conclude with impairment to child(ren), instead he attributes the parents projection of their relational anxiety upon the child(ren) (emotional triangle) as resulting in any impairment (Bowen, 1966). In addition, Bowen includes the processes and use of genograms, detriangulation, relationship experiments, coaching, the “I” position, multiple family therapy, and displacement stories (Charles, 2001, p.280) as both elements within the theory and as processes to be examined within