Structural Approach To Family Therapy Analysis

A structural approach to family therapy involves looking at the pattern of family dynamics focused on the components that make up the family. These are the structure, the subsystems, and the boundaries within that family (Nichols, 2013). A family is always dynamic, always growing and changing, and interactions mark the ways in which a family deals with these changes. Problems in families can generally be traced back to problems in the hierarchal structure within families, according to this view. Problems are maintained by the dysfunctional structure currently in place; a therapist job, is therefore, to alter the family structure so that the family can resolve the problem with their inherent resources. Structure refers to the way in which the …show more content…
Building this empathetic bond with each will facilitate the struggles needed to change in the near future (Nichols, 2013), and this is accomplished by observing (tracking) the words that they use, alongside the behavior they display when explaining things. Each family has their own language, and properly understanding Tom and Fran’s, and being able to successfully use it contextually, the therapist creates proximity and trust (Dorfman, 1988).
Maintenance is another joining technique that, through the use of time-compressing questions and statements, creates a feeling of having bonded with the therapist longer than the time actually spent (Dorfman, 1988). The therapist will know when effective joining has taken place by non-verbal responses, memesis, smiles, looks of understanding, head-nods, acceptance of co-responsibility for problems, and positive responses to directives he or she has given …show more content…
A therapist will side with either Fran or Tom, in an effort to realign the parental subsystem. Siding with both will enable the therapist to balance the system appropriately. This must be handled deftly in order to initiate change. A challenge should include not only what the person is doing, but too, the consequences that are administered as a result. Using words that are less aggressive and attacking help the individual with not feeling attacked (Nichols, 2013). Another technique is to challenge the current view of things. Utilizing the “stroke” and “kick” method can bring about understanding, but in all things the best practice is to foster understanding and realization in the family members about current structure and structural