Family Systems Therapy
I wrote this reflective essay for our theory and practice class at the University of Rochester. The professor asked us to reflect after learning about family systems therapy.
Family Systems Paper
This paper discusses my impressions of family systems therapy, developed by Bowen and first published in his 1978 book, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. He puts forward the idea that an individual’s psychopathology is intricately linked to their family’s psychology. He argues that it is not enough to know oneself; to understand psychopathology, one must understand the family system within which it develops. Family systems theory suggests mental illness is shaped by and expressed through family relationships. The offshoot of this is that treatment may involve addressing the family system as a whole, not just the individual manifesting the symptoms of the illness. Treatment can be achieved, however, by altering the patterns of just one member within a family. Bowen states his theory is true for both severe mental illnesses like Schizophrenia, but also less severe or even mild psychopathology, such as anxiety, being shared within a system.
The core mechanisms involve the shifting of stress between family members. Three-person “triangles” stabilize tension. Bowen explains how this leads to multigenerational transmission of mental illnesses, symptoms, and behaviors. A key goal of family systems theory is for the individuals within the system to be able to stay emotionally connected to each other, whilst thinking independently. This could be framed as interdependence instead of codependence or avoidance. Bowen believes that even if one distances themselves from their family to avoid the problem, they are still affected by it. For Bowen, emotional disconnection from the family system is not an effective solution. One should instead reconnect to one's own family of origin in a healthy way. In cases where this is not possible, it could be argued that one might seek other healthy relational systems in which to develop and heal. Bowen believes his model extends not only to the family, but also to larger societal systems and groups.
References
Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.
