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Integration : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Integration. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a launching pad for families to begin employing practical steps to reach their relational goals. As the family is guided to recognize current dysfunctional core beliefs that exist within their system, they can be guided to see how these beliefs have cyclically shaped their interactions and intrapersonal dialogue. Once the origin of schemas is uncovered, the family can move to instituting new beliefs and patterns of interacting to redefine how the family functions and relates. Experiential theory could be a helpful tool to begin the schema-uncovering process while the cognitive restructuring applied through cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used to transition the clients from knowing the current schemas to developing and maintaining new ones. The goal of this transition is best articulated in systems theory as differentiation of self and relational balance. These theories work together to balance give and take in family relationships as well as allow members to articulate what they need that give and take to look like. Relationships vs. functioning. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is built on the premise that when problem behaviors are reduced and thought patterns change, the relationships in the family naturally improve. While this may seem contradictory to the other two theories, in practice, it aligns well with the idea that the achievement of individual mental and emotional health supports the functioning of the family

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