Family Systems Therapy: Strengthening Bonds and Resolving Conflicts for Healthier

Introduction

Family systems therapy is a kind of psychotherapy or talk therapy. It focuses on the family as a unit, as a medium to resolve a number of problems. The understanding is that if something affects one person, then it has ripple effects on the family as well.

At the NuView Treatment Center, we offer family systems therapy as an integral path to healing and recovery. We believe that family systems therapy supports families in addressing problems together, improving communication, and fostering a conducive environment for lasting positive changes.

What Is Family Systems Therapy?

Family systems therapy was developed in the 1950s, by Murray Bowen. Family systems therapy believes that problems most likely begin in the family, and hence, when the family works as a unit, they can resolve these problems and work toward creating open and healthy family environments.

Unlike other psychotherapies that had been developed, like psychoanalysis, family systems therapy centered on the family rather than one person. In doing so, family systems therapy incorporates generational, social, community, and cultural factors that affect the person as well as the family.

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Core Principles of Family Systems Therapy

There are eight core principles that family systems therapy is based on:

Differentiation Of The Self –

While a person is an integral part of the family, differentiation of the self is when a distinct sense of personality develops despite the family.

The Triangle –

It is a dynamic that develops between three members of the family, which can then affect other members of the family.

Family Projection Process –

This is when parents project their emotions and anxieties on their children, which can then lead to the children projecting these emotions and anxieties onto others.

Nuclear Family Emotional Process –

This refers to the emotional patterns occurring within the family. For instance, distant relationships, marital conflict, and so on.

The Multi-Generational Transmission Process –

It refers to levels of differentiations among family members. Small levels of differentiation, like those between parents and children, can lead to greater levels of differentiation among family members over generations.

Sibling Position –

This refers to the birth order of children – first born, middle child, last child, and others. It speaks to how birth order can affect each child, siblings as a whole, and parents as well.

Emotional Cutoff –

Unresolved conflicts are some of the reasons that lead to distance and emotional cutoff among family members.

Emotional Processes In Society –

It refers to the greater societal and cultural factors that impact persons and families.

Benefits of Family Systems Therapy

There are many benefits to be gained by family systems therapy as it considers the family as a unit:

• Open and positive communication patterns, as it seeks to address maladaptive communication patterns.
• As open and positive communication patterns are developed, it leads to better connections and togetherness among family members.
• Better family unit as a whole, as the family learns to work together. This leads to a conducive environment where mental health conditions can improve and there is more empathy and trust among family members.

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Techniques and Types of Family Systems Therapy

Family systems therapy techniques and types or family systems interventions are as follows:

• Psychoeducation -

  As the name suggests, it involves educating family members regarding psychology and mental health conditions so that there is empathy and understanding among the family members, leading to positive changes and lasting recovery.
  
  

• Structural Family Therapy - 

  It focuses on identifying the structure that a given family is based on so as to enhance communication patterns among the family members.
  
  

• Strategic Family Therapy -

  It believes in developing personalized approaches to address the unique needs and problems of each family.
  
  

• Couples Therapy - 

  Unresolved conflicts between couples are not an isolated thing, they affect the entire family. By improving communication between couples and resolving these conflicts, it helps in improving overall family dynamics and environment as well.
  
  

• Intergenerational Family Therapy -

  Families identify how patterns passed on from one generation to the next affect family members and improve them.
  
  

• Narrative Therapy - 

  It involves developing a story of life, which is characterized by behaviors, roles, and experiences.

Family Systems Therapy for Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Family systems therapy is especially useful for substance use disorders, characterized by substance abuse and dependence as well as a wide range of mental health conditions. The reason being, the person is integral to the family and the family is integral to the family. There are ripple effects that have interactive effects.

By getting the family to function as a unit and work together, patterns leading to substance abuse and mental health conditions can be addressed. For instance, codependent relationships. Moreover, by strengthening family connections, a conducive environment for positive changes and lasting recovery can be created.

• Substance use disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Stress
• Trauma
• Interpersonal conflicts and disturbances

What to Expect in Family Systems Therapy Sessions?

In family system therapy sessions, licensed and skilled family systems therapists work with each member of the family and the family together as a whole. In these sessions, every family member is provided with an open space where they can voice their thoughts and emotions, and how they are affecting them. Then, the family works together as a unit to heal the strain and distress among family members.

Family dynamics are also addressed by focusing on each family member’s role, engaging in switching roles when required, and equipping the skills and tools to contribute to a healthy and functioning family system.

Effectiveness of Family Systems Therapy

Family systems therapy is an evidence-based practice. It is beneficial for conditions like substance use disorders, depression, attachment problems, eating disorders, and other interpersonal conflicts. For instance, family systems therapy has been highly effective in addressing substance use disorders among teenagers and also helps in the treatment of bipolar disorder as well as perinatal depression.

Moreover, family systems therapy is very important in creating a strong primary social support system, which is a very crucial kind of support for persons dealing with mental and behavioral health conditions.

How to Get Started?

Finding a licensed and skilled therapist is the first step to getting started with family systems therapy. At NuView, the NuView team is equipped with the credentials and experience in the relevant therapy. The therapy begins with understanding the family, the family history, unique problems and needs, communication patterns, and goals. Family systems therapy lasts for 12 sessions, however, depending on a given family’s unique needs and circumstances, it can last even longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the family systems approach in therapy?

The family systems approach in therapy focuses on the family as a unit and believes in getting the family to work together to resolve conflicts and other problems.

What are the 4 types of family therapy?

The 4 main types of family therapy are structural family therapy, strategic family therapy, couples therapy, and narrative therapy.

How does family systems therapy differ from individual therapy?

Family systems therapy works with the person and the family rather than just working with one person.