When we think of someone doing therapy, we usually imagine an individual session in which a person interacts with the psychologist. We may also conceive the possibility of a group session with different people with the same type of problem.
But there is also a type of therapy that is applied to a family group, the so-called family therapy in which conflictive aspects between members of the same family are discussed. In this article we tell you what it is and what it is used for.
Family therapy is understood as that modality of therapy focused on the family as the object of intervention. The objective is to strengthen and provide resources to the family so that they can act collaboratively thanks to it. settle disputes and conflicts that they may have between them or problems specific to a single individual.
The family is understood as a basic element in the development of the human being, representing the fundamental element that allows the infant to acquire a model regarding how to see, act, relate and communicate with the world. It is an essential element when learning emotional and relational aspects, with great influence on development.
That is why in this type of treatment an attempt is made to involve two or more members of the same family in order to observe and, if necessary, modify, the patterns of interaction between family members.
It is conceived that an individual’s internal problem is preceded by the presence of interpersonal conflicts, which when internalized can cause symptoms. The pathological is linked to the non-acceptance of new roles in one of the individuals, roles and communication being the basis of the existence of numerous mental and social problems.
Family therapy and the systemic perspective
One of the main currents and the one most closely linked to this type of therapy is the systemic current. From this perspective, the family is conceived as a system, a set of elements whose sum generates a result greater than the simple addition of each of them, new elements, properties and characteristics being born from their interaction.
For the systemic perspective, the behavior and state of one of the family components cannot be understood separately from the system, the system influencing each individual and vice versa. The family would be an open system, receiving information from the environment, being affected by the environment and exchanging information with it in order to adapt and survive. Each of the members is therefore affected by the environment.
From the systemic model It is not intended to directly modify the problematic behavior but to change the family dynamics and the pattern that causes it, facilitates it or gives it usefulness or meaning. A more indirect path is sought to achieve the same goal, while at the same time causing an improvement and strengthening of positive family dynamics and the strengths of both the system and each of its components.
Some of the key aspects of systemic family therapy are communication processes (in which incongruent communication styles are worked on at an analog or digital level, the affectivity and emotion expressed or the presence of rigidity), the assignment of roles and the need for change of these, the clear or diffuse structure of the family and the limits between people that can allow or inhibit the process of creating their own and autonomous identity, negotiation in conflicts or the establishment of power relations between members of the family. the family
There are multitude of schools and techniques even within the same perspective. The Milan school, the structuralist school of Minuchin or the Palo Alto school are examples of different perspectives within the systemic current. As for specific techniques, task prescription, imbalance (temporarily allying with one of the components of the system to change family boundaries), dramatization, redefining symptoms in a positive way, paradoxical intention or instigation.
Properties of the family system
Within the system there are different properties:
1. Circular causality
The behavior of one member of the system is influenced by that of the others just as it influences the rest of the system. If one shouts, the rest will have a reaction, while the reaction will generate a response in the first.
2. Totality
The system generates its own responses due to interaction, being more than the mere sum of its parts.
3. Equifinality
Different people can get to the same point through different paths. In this way two people can cause anxiety (for example) from different stimulations.
4. Equicausality
The opposite of equifinality. The same starting point can lead to different conclusions. Thus, an event will be experienced differently by different people.
5. Homeostasis
The system tends to try to find a state of equilibrium. This means that profound changes are necessary. in order for them to be maintained over time, or otherwise they could return to the original state. On the other hand, if a consistent change is achieved that is integrated into the system, it can be maintained over time.
When we talk about family therapy, we are generally associating it with a type of treatment linked to the systemic current. However, and although the development of family therapy is closely linked to this current of thought, throughout history there have been multiple theoretical perspectives that have worked with this type of therapy. In this sense we can find that, in addition to the systemic perspective, this form of therapy has been worked on, among others, from the two that you can see below.
Psychodynamic perspective
Some currents of psychoanalysis have also applied aspects of family therapy, especially those that follow the theory of object relations. From this perspective, a patient’s symptom is seen as indicative of failure to resolve the developmental sequence of one or both parents.
The existing conflicts make the infant’s emotion repressed which on the one hand causes the parent in conflict to remember and relive his lack of developmental resolution and on the other, causes him to reflect his conflicts in the treatment of his child. The therapy focuses on visualizing and working with transference and countertransference relationships in order to help the family as a whole to resolve their developmental sequences.
Cognitive-behavioral perspective
From this perspective, therapy focuses on the direct resolution of a specific problem presented by the family or one of its members, with the objective being quite specific.
Couples therapy, parenting training or psychoeducation These are some modalities that have been treated from this perspective. In some cases, the family may be used as a co-therapist, if the objective is to modify the behavior of one of the members. But it can also serve to solve dysfunctional aspects of the family itself.
Applications of this type of therapy
Family therapy has been used since its origins to help solve various types of problems. Among them can be found the following.
1. Family crises
The existence of intra-family problems that cannot be resolved by traditional means have frequently been reasons for consultation for family therapy. A difficult situation, aspects linked to the life cycle such as the birth of children or the arrival of their emancipation, a death whose mourning has not been elaborated or some latent conflict between its members are valid examples.
2. Couples therapy
Couples therapy is one of the subtypes of family therapy that exists. Overcoming problems in the couple such as lack of communication, exhaustion, infidelity or incompatibility in some aspects of life are some of the most frequent reasons for consultation.
3. Behavioral problems or mental disorders in one of the members
Especially when the subject in question is one of the children, it is not strange that the parents decide to try to remedy it. In many cases, parents or family members can be used as co-therapists who can facilitate the maintenance of changes and the monitoring of programs established by the therapist.
Likewise, in other cases the problems presented can be strongly influenced by the communication patterns of families (for example, broken homes or couples who constantly argue can contribute to emotional and behavioral problems).
4. Treatment of addictions and other disorders
In the treatment of various addictions and even other psychological disorders, it can be very useful to integrate the closest family members, so that they can help the subject to stay away from stimuli. that elicit the consumption response. They can also participate in making the subject see the need to continue with the treatment and the advantages of stopping using, as well as reinforcing behaviors that favor recovery.
5. Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation with families can be essential in helping a person’s environment understand their situation, what can be expected, what they can do to help them or the steps they need to take.
6. Parent training
Training for parents is a great advantage for those parents who have children with behavioral problems or who do not know how to deal with specific situations that they are experiencing throughout their development. Taught how to deal with maladaptive behaviors through molding and positive stimulation that allows the minor to adapt.
The therapist’s position
Within family therapy, the therapist has a particular role. Although it depends on the perspective from which family therapy is applied, as a general rule the professional must remain in an equidistant position between all family members present in the therapy, without taking sides with any of its members. It must be ensured that all members can give their opinion and that it is heard and valued by the other participants.
Depending on the case and the modality of family therapy, occasionally you can establish temporary alliances with some of the members in order to focus the group’s attention on certain aspects, but later you must return to a neutral and/or position.
In some cases it will have to remain as an external and cold element It is limited to pointing out the patterns of family functioning, while in other cases it may be necessary to play the role of another family member in order to introduce a new element in the therapy and help show the different points of view.
