Having been raised fairly fundamentally, I still have a strong belief in the nuclear family and its importance in shaping our lives, experiences and personalities, and as such, I find that the family systems theory resonates well with me, and likely fits best with my professional viewpoints, and goals as a counselor. Family systems therapy calls on the counselor, and clients, to think of the family as a single emotional unit. This means that each member of the family is evaluated, and treated as a single part of the greater whole unit, like organs in a larger living organism, one cannot function without the others, and all are interconnected (Family Solutions Institute, n.d).
A family system can, thus, be defined as “a social system built by the repeated interaction of family members. These interactions establish patterns of how, when, and to whom family members relate (Sauber et al., 1993, via Capuzzi & Gross, 2011). Therapy is thus focused on increasing the productivity of that interaction in various ways.
In the family systems therapy video, Hardy defines family systems theory as a method that intentionally focuses beyond the individualistic therapy point of view, and instead relies on a group therapy approach. By focusing on how the clients act on, and impact one another, and how that impacts their interactions with people in a larger social context, therapy can be used to inform the familial relationship, and encourage both individual and communal healing.
This is demonstrated in Hardy’s specific work with a male client, who is experiencing a high level of tension within their marriage (24:45). During the assessment phase, Hardy works to determine the dynamic of the relationship between Phil and his wife, demonstrating a greater interest in their interactions and a lesser interest in their individual experiences (26:00). This is consistent with the first step of the family systems therapy which generally asks “what” and then tries to establish a pattern on which to focus (Capuzzi & Gross, 2011).
The therapy should then shift to first and second order change. First order change is defined as a change without change, or a change that does not alter the way the family interacts. A second order change, however, is a change that is made that does change the structure of the relationship(s) (Capuzzi & Gross, 2011).
So, the first step in the viewed counseling session is to allow Phil to feel and acknowledge the anger he is experiencing (59:50). This does not fundamentally change his relationship with his wife or the related dynamics, but it does alter the way he is handling the feelings of rejection, and his reaction to them. Then the recommended next step is raising these feelings and concerns directly with his wife, in order to let her in on his emotions and generate a situation where the dynamics of the relationship can change (1:04:20).
References:
Capuzzi, D., & Gross, D.R. (Ed.) (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (5th ed.) Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association
Family Solutions Institute. (n.d.) Strategic & Systemic. Family Solutions Institute MFT Study Guide. Retrieved from http://www.mftlicense.com/pdf/sg_chpt4.pdf
Psychotherapy.net (Executive Producer). (1997). Family systems therapy [video]. Retrieved from the Walden Library Database.
