Narrative Theoretical Framework

Structural family therapy is associated with the work of Salvador Minuchin and is an evidence based therapy influenced by brief strategic and eco-systemic structural family therapy (Gerhart, 2014). Structural family therapists are active in the counseling sessions and will want to have all of the members of the family participate in the counseling sessions. The therapist is then able to map family structures in order to resolve relation problems between family members. The therapist will then make assessments and set goals to restructure the family interactions while focusing on family strengths.

After learning about the different family theories, I find that Bowen’s family therapy and narrative family therapy are my favorite. However integrating both these concepts seems difficult. Bowen’s theory is considered a modern approach that looks at factors such as level of self-differentiation, reactivity, and triangulation are seen as determining family and individual functioning. Furthermore, the role as the therapist is seen more as a coach to guide clients towards change through decreasing triangulation and increased levels of self-differentiation. On the other hand narrative therapy is postmodern approach that sees people’s socially constructed stories as key to the development of problems (Naden, et al., 2004). These two theories are

This paper will use the book The Family Crucible to demonstrate the authors’ family systems approach to therapy. Narrative theory is compared and contrasted with family systems theory, and is ultimately integrated into my own theoretical foundation for practice as a social worker.

The Structural functional theory is focused on the gender roles of a family. The female is the homemaker

The research complied for this report was gathered from various Journals dedicated to the discourse surrounding the practices of narrative therapy and family therapy. Search terms used to collect relevant articles were ‘narrative therapy’, ‘Michael White’ and ‘externalising’. The results from these terms were extensive and required narrowing further by way of peer reviewed status, content type and discipline. Data gathered was then critically analysed to explicate firstly, the socially constructed knowledge surrounding the process of narrative therapy, and the technique of

According to the vignette, I feel most comfortable choosing Bowenian family therapy as the pioneer approach and narrative family therapy as the postmodern approach for this family. Of course, that decision would be according to the family needs and if they were unreceptive, I would modify my approach. For the purposes of this paper, the approaches mentioned above are the two that might be most appropriate to proceed through assessment and treatment.

I never thought that I would be saving someone life from drowning. That was until my friends and I did help someone. Which was something that happened very fast.

When narrative therapy first came into my life, I was not able to realize its brilliance. I had the misconception that the modality found where problems stemmed from and then showed clients how to cope with problems when they reoccur. Then I saw narrative therapy in action during a session with clients of my colleagues. The idea of problems being outsiders intruding on the system was fascinating and co-authoring a new narrative with a client sounded fulfilling. When all of a client’s knowledge is considered socially constructed rather than learned, it helps the therapist to see the client and the client’s problems as separate entities. Meaning becomes attributed to these problems through the client’s interactions with their social environment.

Another concept views the Family as a Component of Society, this structural-functional theory addresses the family on a broader scale in terms of their contributions, needs and successes like other social systems (eg., educational and healthcare system (p.90, 2003).

First, according to Macionis (2004) the term family is defined as a social institution found in all societies that unite people in cooperative groups to oversee the bearing and raising of children. Same author also discusses several theoretical approaches have been identified that identifies the family as a form of social institution and how the family unit interconnect with other social institutions within any given society. According to the Structural-Functional Analysis for example, the family serves as a unit that perform many vital tasks

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 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.

In many ways family systems theory can be seen as a broad field where there many different implications that make up the system, it is a system. A system is a set of objects that are bound together by a relationship, which are based around the attributes of the objects as drawn upon by (Janet.BB, 1982). Family systems theory addresses the many different ideals and values that make up a typical family, these include the roles each member of the family, the power relations either from the male of the family or both parents of the family, the boundaries that are set within the family to ensure that the structure of the family is secure, in both individualistic and collectivist families this can be seen (Fred Rothbaum, 2002).

The structural family theory developed by Salvador Minuchin in the 1960’s, used to focus structural change within a dysfunctional family. The purpose of understanding the structure of the family has been to assist in creating a healthy balance within the

It is also assumed that the act of telling a story can provide insight into past, present and future events (Espinoza, 1997). By going through this process, individuals can find the importance of certain events and assign roles to people who are a part of their story. This act can allow a client to find new meaning and understanding to their reality (Espinoza, 1997). Not only is a