Family Systems Theory
The umbrella of theories under the Family Systems Therapy group focuses on communication patterns within the family unit.
Systems theory is based on the family’s response to feedback from one another and the desire of the group to make changes to maintain homeostasis.
A number of theories exist based on various approaches, interestingly enough the field of systems therapy developed out of the study of
schizophrenic patients and the family relationships they had. A problem identified as the double bind led researchers to consider the
impact of family interactions in individual development and mental health while in the context of the family unit.
Family systems theory affirms that the individual can change behavior if aware of the impact current and historical
family behavior has on the definition of his or her choices. The word "family" is key and its definition is expansive.
"Family" may be viewed as the immediate family with whom the individual lives, the extended family of relatives
and friends, and the community at large.
Premises of Family Systems Theory
According to theorists, Family Systems Theory:
is a way of understanding present situations in terms of past relationships or family histories.
understands the family as a single emotional unit made up of interlocking relationships existing over
many generations.
suggests that individual behavior throughout life is more closely related to the functioning in one’s
original family than most people realize.
attempts to move beyond cause-and-effect thinking to a more comprehensive understanding of the multiple
factors which interact across time to produce problems or symptoms.
recognizes an interplay between biological, genetic, psychological, and sociological factors in determining
individual behavior.
identifies some of the ways that human functioning is similar to the functioning of all other forms of life,
and postulates that certain principles governing behavior are common to all life forms.
views most of human life as being guided by emotional forces which to a varying degree can be regulated by
an individuals ability to think. (Emotional here includes a smorgasbord of automatic responses such as those
driven by instinct, genetics, biology, and hormones as well as automatic feeling or sensory responses.)
postulates that the degree to which individuals may be able to exercise some choice regarding how much
they respond to their automatic emotional input can be predicted by understanding the functioning of the
family unit.
indicates that people are able to modify their responses to the automatic emotional input by undertaking
a study of their own patterns of behavior and their link to patterns of behavior in their multigenerational family.
The more common Family Systems Theories are as follows:
In general, family systems therapy works to reduce family stress, help members become more differentiated, and alter coalitions
and alliances in the family to bring about change. These focal points are determined through strategies to reach goals in addition
to develop new styles of resolving problems.
Family systems theory believes as members become healthy and differentiated the family unit
begins to change and adapt and in a healthy approach, this leads to better functioning and relating between members.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
Bograd, M. (1987). Enmeshment: Fusion or Relatedness: A Conceptual Analysis, Journal of Psychotherapy and the Family, 3, 4, 65-80.
Carter, E. (1991). My Reluctant Ancestor, The Family Therapy Networker, March-April, 40-41.
Carter, E. & McGoldrick, M. (Eds). (1980). The Family Life Cycle: A Framework for Family Therapy.. New York: Gardner Press.
McGoldrick, M. (1995). You Can Go Home Again. New York: Norton.
Kerr, M. (1991). Living The Theory, The Family Therapy Networker, March-April, 39-40.
Randi Fredricks, LMFT ♦
1711 Hamilton Ave Suite A, San Jose, California, 95125 ♦
408-315-0645
