Family Systems Theory Simplified: Applying and Understanding Systemic Therapy Models

Description

In this textbook for students and instructors of marriage and family therapy, Bethany C. Suppes offers a refreshed perspective of family systems therapy (FST), focusing on the importance of understanding its concepts and demonstrating how models of marriage and family therapy can appear practically in counseling. In Part I, Suppes begins with a theoretical overview of FST, including the history of development, key theorists, and defining core concepts. In Part II, she focuses on application and explores nine key components of FST, identifying how various systemic therapy models apply these concepts. The book also covers the professional responsibilities of the systemic therapist and cultural considerations for those using the theory professionally. Primarily written for those having their first exposure to the ideas of FST, it explains concepts in a language and structure that is more comprehensive and culturally aware than existing literature, aiming to improve the therapeutic process for both therapist and client. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Foreword Dedications and Acknowledgments Introduction What Is Worldview? Introductory Vocabulary Overview of Content Part I Theoretical Overview 1 History of Family Systems Theory General Systems Theory Cybernetics First-Order Cybernetics Second-Order Cybernetics Thermostat Metaphor Social Science Contributions Structural Functionalism Social Exchange Theory Self-Regulation Model Developmental Task Theory Key Researchers of Family Systems Theory Gregory Bateson Don D. Jackson John Weakland Paul Watzlawick Milton Erickson Jay Haley Salvador Minuchin Virginia Satir Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy The Ultimate Group Project Overview of Key Terms 2 Differentiating Therapeutic Theory and Clinical Modality Defining Therapeutic Theory Social Theory Family Theory Defining Therapeutic Modality Examples in Family Therapy So How Are They Different? When the Differences Are Harder to Identify Person-Centered Therapy Gestalt Therapy Psychoanalysis Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Key Limitations Philosophical Limitations of Theories Limits of Family Systems Theory Specifically Philosophical Limitations of Modalities Summary 3 Roles and Responsibilities of the Therapist in Family Systems Theory Role of the Therapist A Nondiagnosing Stance Role of the Modern Therapist Examples of Modern Family System Therapies Role of the Postmodern Therapist Examples of Postmodern Family System Therapies Role of the Directive Therapist Examples of Directive Family System Therapies Role of the Nondirective Therapist Examples of Nondirective Family Systems Therapies What Do I Do With This Information? Role of the Advocating Therapist In-Session Responsibilities of the Therapist Creating a Safe Space Basic Attending Skills Multidirectional Partiality Flexibility and Patience Curiosity Out-of-Session Responsibilities of the Therapist Self-Reference Self-Care Self-Compassion Examples of Self-Care What About When Self-Care Goes Wrong? Summary Part II Theoretical Application 4 FST Concept I: Wholeness What Is Wholeness? Goal-Setting as a Family System Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Are Families Always Goal-Seeking? Family Roles Criticism of Holism Applicable Therapeutic Models Bowen’s Multigenerational Therapy Structural Family Therapy Narrative Family Therapy Internal Family Systems Therapy Treating With Bowenian Multigenerational Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Structural Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Narrative Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating Using Internal Family Systems Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection 5 FST Concept II: You Cannot Not Communicate Types of Communication Principles of Communication One Cannot Not Communicate One Cannot Not Behave Meaning Given Is Not Always Meaning Meant Watzlawick’s Interpretation of Communication Styles of Communication Symmetrical Communication Complementary Communication When Communication Fails Communication in the Family The Double-Bind Theory Paradox and Counter-Paradox Applicable Therapeutic Models Strategic Family Therapy Symbolic Experiential Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Contextual Family Therapy Treating With Strategic Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Symbolic Experiential Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Solution-Focused Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Contextual Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection 6 FST Concept III: Context Is Key Definition and Description of Context Physical Surroundings Indoor to Outdoor Natural to Manmade Public to Private Isolated to Crowded Emotional Environment Social Roles Social Rules Context of Past, Present, and Future Interactions Context of Past Interactions Context of Current Interactions Context of Future Interactions Inevitability of Context Context and Constructivism Coexisting Realities Co-constructing Reality Why Context Matters Applicable Therapeutic Models Narrative Family Therapy Contextual Family Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Emotion-Focused Therapy Contexts to Consider in this Study Physical Context Cultural Context Familial Context Other Contexts to Consider Treating With Narrative Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Contextual Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Acceptance Commitment Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Emotion-Focused Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection 7 FST Concept IV: Co-Occurring Systems Definition and Description Suprasystems and Subsystems Triangles Roles in Triangles Interlocking Triangles Autopoiesis Ecological Systems Theory Immediate Self Microsystem Mesosystems Exosystems Macrosystem Chronosystem Ecological Systems Theory and Family Systems Theory Where There Are Systems, There Is Hierarchy Applicable Therapeutic Models Structural Family Therapy Bowen Multigenerational Family Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Therapy Treating With Structural Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Bowen’s Multigenerational Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Solution-Focused Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Internal Family Systems Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection 8 FST Concept V: Boundaries Defining Boundaries Boundaries in Subsystems How Boundaries Are Asserted What Are Unhealthy Boundaries? Minuchin’s Types of Boundaries The Circumplex Model Cohesion Adaptability Communication in Boundaries Examples of Practiced Boundaries Goals of Boundaries How to Have Better Boundaries Define the Desired Boundary Protect Those Boundaries Respond to the Offenders Propose an Alternative Course of Action Applicable Therapy Models Structural Family Therapy Contextual Family Therapy Symbolic Experiential Therapy Internal Family Systems Therapy Treating With Structural Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Contextual Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Symbolic Experiential Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Internal Family Systems Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection 9 FST Concept VI: Circular Causality Defining Circularity Circular Causality Different From Linear Thinking Recursion Vicious Cycles Perpetuated Cycles of Interaction: Positive Feedback and Negative Feedback Fault and Responsibility in Circular Causality Circular Causality and Change in the Family System Applicable Therapeutic Models Strategic Family Therapy Bowen Multigenerational Family Therapy Acceptance-Commitment Therapy Emotion-Focused Therapy Stage 1: Assessment and Cycle De-Escalation Stage 2: Changing Interaction Positions Stage 3: Consolidation and Integration Treating With Strategic Family Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Bowenian Multigenerational Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Acceptance-Commitment Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Treating With Emotion-Focused Therapy Interpretation of the Problem Anticipated Solution Example Questions Reader Reflection Part III Additional Considerations 10 Role of Individual Psychology in Family Systems Theory Mental Health, Mental Wellness, and Mental Illness Mental Health, Physical Health, and Systemic Health Systemic Perspectives of Individual Psychology Bowenian Self-Differentiation IFS Self-Leadership The Relational Self Family Systems Theory Concepts Overlapping Individual Psychology Wholeness and Individual Psychology Communication and Individual Psychology Context and Individual Psychology Co-occurring Systems and Individual Psychology Boundaries and Individual Psychology Circular Causality and Individual Psychology Systemic Considerations in the Assessment Phase Systemic Application in Individual Intervention A Final Note On Therapist Responsibilities Role of Autonomy in a System Individual Psychology in the Microsystem Individual Psychology in the Macrosystem Treating Individuals With Family Systems Theory Another Resource to Consider 11 Cultural Considerations of Family Systems Theory Defining Culture Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures Using Family Systems Theory With Collectivism in Mind Bowen’s Self-Differentiation in Collectivistic Cultures Satir’s Experiential Systemic Work in Collectivistic Cultures Holism Across Cultures Culture Influencing Communication Context of Culture, Culture in Context Culture and Co-Occurring Systems Boundaries Across Cultures Culture Impact On Change and Circular Causality The Culturally Competent Therapist Mechanism 1: Worldview and Value Differences Mechanism 2: Experiences and Contexts Mechanism 3: Power Differences Between Therapist and Client Mechanism 4: Felt Distance Between Therapist and Client System Summary Conclusion References Index