Family Systems Therapy

What is Family Systems Therapy?

Family systems therapy is a form of psychotherapy that views the family as a dynamic system in which individual members are interconnected and influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It considers the family as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual family members or their problems. The goal of family systems therapy is to understand and address the patterns of interaction and communication within the family system that may contribute to issues or conflicts. By identifying and addressing these patterns, family systems therapy seeks to improve the overall functioning of the family and promote healthy relationships.

How Does Family Systems Therapy Work?

Family systems therapy is conducted by our licensed therapists who specialize in family systems therapy. Our therapist will work with your family as a whole, facilitating open communication, fostering understanding, and helping family members identify and change patterns of interaction that may be contributing to problems. Family systems therapy is based on a set of key principles that guide the understanding and approach of the therapist. Let's take a closer look at the eight key principles of family systems therapy:

The Differentiation of Self

The differentiation of self emphasizes the importance of individuals developing a sense of self that is separate from their family of origin. This involves understanding and managing one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a healthy and autonomous manner, while maintaining healthy connections with their family members.

The Triangle

The triangle refers to a third person being drawn into a conflict between two individuals within a family. This recognizes that adding a third person to a relationship can shift the dynamics and impact the entire family system.

The Nuclear Family Emotional Process

The nuclear family emotional process focuses on the emotional dynamics and patterns of communication within a nuclear family, including how emotions are expressed, regulated, and transmitted among family members.

The Family Projection Process

The family projection process refers to how parents project their own unresolved emotional issues onto their children. This principle highlights the importance of understanding how family members may unconsciously transfer their own emotional baggage onto others in the family.

The Multi-Generational Transmission Process

The multi-generational transmission process recognizes that patterns of behavior and emotional dynamics can be passed down from one generation to another. This process emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the intergenerational patterns that may contribute to current issues within the family system.

Sibling Position

The sibling position is the birth order and gender of siblings within a family, and how this can influence their roles and interactions. The sibling position recognizes the impact of sibling dynamics on the family system and individual development.

The Emotional Cutoff

The emotional cutoff refers to the process of individuals distancing themselves emotionally from their family of origin in order to manage unresolved emotional issues. This principle highlights the importance of understanding and addressing emotional cutoffs within the family system.

Emotional Processes in Society

This principle acknowledges that family systems are influenced by broader societal and cultural factors. It emphasizes the importance of considering the larger social context in which the family system operates.