Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Therapy

The Family Systems Therapy includes several theories that consider the importance of communication system and patterns within a family system. The systems theory analyzes the response of the family against the comments and feedback provided by each member of the family that attempts to make a desired change according to the demand of the group in order to create homeostasis. There are a number of theories that relates to several approaches and practices. The field of systems therapy has emerged out of the studies in the family relationships and schizophrenic patients. The identification of a double bind problem in the field of systems therapy has directed the researchers to analyze and asses the influence of the interactions within a family on to the development of individuals in a family and the mental and psychological health of the individuals who live a family unit as family members (Murdock, 2012).

A systematic approach of family therapy in family systems was first presented by a therapist Alfred Alder. The development and progression in the field of family systems therapy lead to the intergenerational method of identifying the solutions to the problems that are confronted by family members in a family unit. This approach was identified by Murray Bowen who followed the initial concept of Alfred Alder regarding the systematic approach of family therapy. Murray Bowen has focused on the issue of the differentiation of oneself in a family unit that results in the lesser chances of enmeshment by the individuals in a family unit. This condition occurs when the family members seem to be involved in the lives of each other but to an extent in which they are regarded as having an association to an unhealthy psychological functioning (Murdock, 2012).

Bowen has identified an unhealthy psychological interaction among the family members which is considered as the concept of Triangulation. The condition of triangulation is the one in which there is an intense relationship between two family members and a third member of the family is involved in the intense situation in order to redirect the stressful situation among them. According to several researcher and psychologists, this situation usually arises in the families when a child is brought into the stressful situation of relationships. The counseling in the family units in this situation has identified that the child is usually the patient in such conditions in which there is a stressful situation of relationships between the parents. The child becomes a patient while he responds to the marital issues of his or her parents. There are some other techniques and approaches involved in the Bowen's theory and the psychotherapy and counseling of family members. However, in relation to my world view, the Triangulation approach is the best to describe the situation and to develop appropriate counseling technique for it (Murdock, 2012).

Counseling and Psychotherapy

During the course of family psychotherapy, the counselors require to have all family members in a place in order to start the counseling ...