Family Systems Therapy
Family systems therapy is a form of psychotherapy that supports people in resolving conflicts between family members or within their families. It’s based on the research that psychiatrist Murray Bowen conducted in the mid-1950s on family systems and how they impacted his patients. The results of this research were developed into family systems theory in the 1960s and eventually laid out in a book, which was published in 1988. According to the Bowen Family Systems Therapy, a person cannot be fully separated from their family relational system.
The 8 Core Concepts Of Family Systems Theory
The Bowen Family Systems Theory is based in human behavior and views the family as an emotional system or emotional unit. In Bowen’s view, human relationship systems have evolved over time and are important to survival. Often, individual family members within the family system seek acceptance and validation from one another. When these things aren't adequately given or received, it can cause lasting damage—particularly when children are involved. Family systems therapy aims to address these conflicts within a family emotional system and help heal these wounds. There are eight interconnected concepts within family systems theory, upon which family systems therapy is based, the eight interlocking concepts include:
#1. The Triangle
This concept refers to a core, three-person dynamic in a family. Although a base three-person unit is thought to offer more emotional stability than two, a triangle can also be a source of power shifts and conflict between one family member and another.
#2. Differentiation Of Self
The differentiation of self refers to the theory of how we develop relationships within our family as children and adolescents—relationships that then determine parts of our identity. Once a family member finds a particular sense of self or self-leadership within their family unit, it rarely changes.
#3. Nuclear Family Emotional Process
The nuclear family emotional process is a process is based on the patterns that most influence family structures and family emotionality. It may include family marital conflict, family conflict, spousal dysfunction, family impairment, and family emotional distance.
#4. Family Projection Process
The family projection process is a family process in which parents hand down their emotional difficulties to their children. It includes three steps:
- The family focuses their attention on their children, worrying that there's an issue that needs to be addressed.
- The family observes a child's behavior and concludes that their fear is justified.
- The family begins to act like there's actually an issue that needs to be addressed
#5. Multigenerational Transmission Process
This process refers to how children typically develop similar levels of self-differentiation to their parents. The reason is that they learned how to self-differentiate by observing their parents, meaning that parents and children may have similar levels of self-differentiation for generations creating family patterns in self-differentiation—especially since people are also likely to seek out mates with similar levels to themselves.
#6. Emotional Cutoff
This cutoff refers to how a family may distance themselves from one another emotionally in order to lessen the intensity of a conflict. On the surface, it seems like it could benefit the family as a whole. In reality, it can actually cause more anxiety within the family unit.
#7. Sibling Position
This part of the theory posits that a sibling’s position in the birth order impacts their life and the how the family functions as a whole. Different positions in the order tend to be associated with different personality types. For example, older children tend to be leaders and middle children tend to be peacemakers.
#8. Societal Emotional Process
Societal emotional process refers to how society can impact a family system and their emotional lives. Bowen treated parents within the criminal justice system and noticed how external influences could affect families, which is where this aspect of the theory comes from.
What To Expect When Seeking Family Systems Therapy
In family systems therapy, participants meet together with a qualified provider to explore and work toward a resolution for the conflicts they've been dealing with.
The goal of family therapy is to help each person see the perspective of others in an attempt to restore familial relationships and reinforce a healthy, functioning family dynamic. Different people in a family will have different perceptions of how things are, and a good family therapist will be able to see what's happening from all sides in a non-biased way and help all parties meet in the middle.
Family systems therapy is a popular model in the family therapy field that can be used to help families of all types. It can be especially useful for those who are struggling with unresolved conflicts or pain of some kind that is impacting family relationships. Here are some examples of conflicts or challenges that a family may seek the help of a family systems therapist for:
- Conflict avoidance
- Coping with a loss
- Issues related to children or parenting
- Substance use issues
- Mental health concerns
- Romantic relationships that impact the family
It’s important to note that finding a therapist who is experienced in this specific methodology is important. Through specific training, they’ll have gained a knowledge of common family power dynamics and communication issues and will be able to guide your family through the challenges you’re facing in a skilled and effective manner.
Online Vs. In-Person Therapy
Research suggests that both online and in-person therapy can offer similar benefits. That means, in many cases, that it’s up to the individual or family to decide which format works best for them. For those with busy schedules, meeting with a qualified mental health professional online from the comfort of home may be more convenient. In this case, a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp can be useful. You can get matched with a licensed therapist based on your needs and preferences as imparted in a brief questionnaire. You can then speak with them via phone, video call, and/or online chat to address the challenges you may be facing. See below for client reviews of BetterHelp therapists.BetterHelp Therapy & Therapist Reviews
“I joined BetterHelp to deal with some family issues. My counselor Joshua helped me understand and assess my family dynamic and helped me learn how to cope and set healthy boundaries with them.”
Takeaway
Family dynamics can be complex. A qualified family systems therapist can be a helpful resource to those who are interested in resolving relational conflicts and building a healthier dynamic together.
What is the difference between family systems therapy and internal family systems (IFS)?
Family systems therapy, as described in this article, rests on the theory that individual functioning can’t be separated from the family system. IFS, in contrast, identifies the sub-personalities (or "parts") within one person. According to this method, the individual mind is viewed as a “family” because of the different roles one individual may play depending on the situation.
What is IFS therapy used for?
This type of talk therapy can help with general challenges in life, such as relationships, low self-esteem, or mental health concerns. By meeting with an IFS therapist, you can chart your own path and see how this approach can be tailored to your own personal needs.
What is IFS trauma therapy?
Developed by psychotherapist Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, internal family systems trauma therapy gives individuals the opportunity to engage in a visual and in-depth self-discovery and self-healing process using the key IFS principle that the mind is made up of multiple sub-personalities.
What are the parts in IFS therapy?
Internal family systems therapy focuses on three main roles or “parts” of a person: the manager, exile, and firefighter parts.
Can you do IFS therapy on yourself?
Similar to other forms of professional therapy, internal family systems therapy is an evidence-based method that a qualified, licensed provider should administer.
How do I practice IFS?
Again, seeking a licensed mental health professional specializing in this particular type of therapy is recommended for those interested in receiving IFS.
Is IFS good for anxiety?
Yes, IFS therapy can be effective for people with various anxiety disorders.
How do you integrate parts of yourself?
There are a few different ways that a therapist can help you work toward integrating the conflicting parts of yourself. One is identifying the problem, choosing hands to represent each part, and asking the two parts that may be in conflict with each other to speak.
Does internal family systems therapy work?
A study in 2015 by the NREPP found that IFS is "effective for improving general functioning and well-being” and that it shows promising results for “improving phobia, panic, and generalized anxiety disorders and symptoms; physical health conditions and symptoms; personal resilience/self-concept; and depression".
How do you conduct self-therapy?
There are various ways to do self-therapy, but basic principles include challenging your beliefs, self-concept, self-thought, and self-reflection, understanding the problems you may be facing, and studying your feelings and behaviors. Art therapy is one popular form of self-therapy.
Is IFS effective for depression?
What is the success rate of IFT in the United States?
What is the most important strength of internal family therapy?
What makes IFT more effective than other types of therapy?
What is the principle behind the family system approach?
Get Help For Your Family Today
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
The National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE
The Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
The Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT
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