For instance, in case of a child's abnormal behavior, it may have something to do with something that occurred in his or her early years of life and as per Freud's beliefs that will impact the child for the rest of the life. By having every member of the family present, it is much easier to get to the depth of the problem and acquire a solution that would help straighten things up (Obudho, 1983, p
Different schools of thought have varying beliefs and approaches to the resolution of a problem. In case of conjoint family therapy, the therapists drive the conversation and discussion in a way so as to make everyone vent out and speak their mind and engage them with each other (Pinsof, 1995, p
The shift towards nuclear families was also one of the reasons why the involvement of the immediate family members was stressed upon so much. The therapists saw remarkable results where they used this conjoint family therapy as a method to resolve issues of any sort (Skinner, 2012)
Structural Family Therapy (SFT) was developed by Salvador Minuchin in the latter half of the 20th century and is still considered a viable and effective therapy approach today (Connell, 2010, p
Many times a person will be more willing to express him or herself in individual therapy than in family settings. In a family setting, multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) has expanded upon the SFT model and has been shown to be effective (Diamond, Hogue, Liddle, & Dakof, 1999, p
1). Structural family therapists believe that problems within the family are the result of a dysfunctional family structure, therefore, correcting the structure should alleviate the problems (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p
Anything that is experienced can become symbolic. In dysfunctional families symbols become fixed and rigid, thereby inhibiting growth" (Mitten & Connell 2007:2)
Simon further describes its applicability to couples who are engaged or already married, as well as "unmarried couples whose mutual commitment is not in question" (Simon 1985). Process of Therapeutic Change Colapinto's work focuses on the process of therapeutic change, which takes into consideration the concept that solutions to problems in family structure are resolved through modification of this structure (Colapinto 1982)
He sees therapy as a "transitional event," one in which the therapist's role is to facilitate the family's transition from one stage to another. While the history of relationships is important, it is viewed as something to be explored, understood, and examined in such a way that the flawed system of transactions that characterized the family can be displaced, relationships realigned, and methods of interaction redefined (Minuchin 1972)
He sees therapy as a "transitional event," one in which the therapist's role is to facilitate the family's transition from one stage to another. While the history of relationships is important, it is viewed as something to be explored, understood, and examined in such a way that the flawed system of transactions that characterized the family can be displaced, relationships realigned, and methods of interaction redefined (Minuchin 1972)
" This model would be applicable to a variety of relationships, including those who are involved in divorce proceedings as well as those who are in the planning stages of a life together. Simon further describes its applicability to couples who are engaged or already married, as well as "unmarried couples whose mutual commitment is not in question" (Simon 1985)
This new structure, ironically, resulted in the implementation of a number of what were considered to be too radical ideas of the 1950s and 1960s. This view holds that the interdisciplinary nature of strategic theory, and the establishment of a clear and conceptual framework, was necessary to integrate training programs in psychiatry, social work, and even anthropology and sociology as viable components of family therapy (Broderick and Schrader, 1991, 3-4)
Strategic Therapy -- "The ideas of strategic therapy are deceptively simply. Carrying out these ideas in action is not so simple" (Haley, 2003)
Strategic Therapy -- "The ideas of strategic therapy are deceptively simply. Carrying out these ideas in action is not so simple" (Haley, 2003)
It is possible to also see this form of therapy as overly simplistic and too attuned to popular culture. One must ensure that the theory used is not "Therapy Du Jour," with sound bites and elements attuned to popular approaches, and still retain a robust psycho-analytical model (Nichols, 2009)
There are always sessions of group dynamics and a struggle for power. A strategic family approach attempts to resolve that strive for hierarchical power by investigating the inner relationships and signals within the family that cause behaviors and to deal with the present as a situation -- and intervene appropriately (Roffman)
Indeed, modern dynamic systems are much more in flux than ever. Contemporary society is complex, and has so many random elements that "chaos theory" approaches might have some value in helping us understand tremendous change, unique patterns of behavior, and the very real notion that realized, and that very randomness and chaos theory is often more useful to understand change, patterns of behavior, unpredictability and even flexibility within family dynamics (Simon, 1996; Spronck and Compernolle, 1997)
The aim is to change structure believed to perpetuate the problem behaviour. Dysfunctional transactions are blocked and new or unused repertoires of transactions are mobilized (Fattah, 2003)
Minuchin stated, "Structural family therapy as dealing with the process of feedback between circumstances and the person involved - the changes imposed by a person on his circumstances and the way in which feedback to these changes affects his next move. A shift in the position of a person vis -- a -vis his circumstances constitutes a shift of his experience (Minuchin, 1974, p
Minuchin stated, "Structural family therapy as dealing with the process of feedback between circumstances and the person involved - the changes imposed by a person on his circumstances and the way in which feedback to these changes affects his next move. A shift in the position of a person vis -- a -vis his circumstances constitutes a shift of his experience (Minuchin, 1974, p