Bowen therapists would respond that all members of the family unit share the same emotional 'skin' in a unique fashion. ithin today's cultural context, because the nuclear family is given such importance, it often must be subject to particular examination. But "each concept in Bowen theory applies to nonfamily groups, such as work and social organizations. The concept of societal emotional process describes how the emotional system governs behavior on a societal level, promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society" (Societal emotional process, 2009, the Bowen Center). Bowen theory ultimately does take a macro view, and sees the family system as interlocked in a series of family systems that make up a society.
Thus family systems therapy does allow for an analysis of an extended family, when these relationships are sufficiently impactful upon the individuals. The therapy analyzes multigenerational influences upon the family's collective psyche. It examines how…...
mlaWorks Cited
Bowen theory. (2009). The Bowen Center. Retrieved August 24, 2009 at http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/theory.html
Differentiation of the self. (2009). The Bowen Center. Retrieved August 24, 2009 at http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/conceptds.html
Nuclear family emotional system. (2009). The Bowen Center. Retrieved August 24, 2009 at http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/conceptnf.html
Societal emotional process. (2009). The Bowen Center. Retrieved August 24, 2009 at http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/conceptsep.html
Dr. Murray Bowen family systems therapy contribution family therapy. Explain the Bowenian
Dr. Murray Bowen's place in family systems therapy is secure and is one of the most prominent of theorists within this field. He has helped to pioneer a number of important concepts within this discipline, which have actually served to revolutionize the field itself and its very conception of not only human nature, but of human interactivity at the family level. In fact, Bowen's work in family systems therapy has transcended this field alone, and has been applied to others aspects of erudition such as crisis situations and how people respond to them -- as denoted by his work with the Environmental Protection Agency (Baege, 2005). In contemporary times, Bowen's theory (alternately referred to as the Bowenian model) serves as the basis for family systems therapy.
Throughout the course of his Bowen's professional career he uncovered numerous theoretical innovations…...
mlaReferences
Baege, M. (2005). Dr. Murray Brown. Vermont Center for Family Studies. Retrieved from http://www.vermontcenterforfamilystudies.org/about_vcfs/dr_murray_bowen/
Brown, J. (1999). Bowen family systems theory and practice: illustration and critique. A.N.Z.J. Family Therapy. 20(2), 94-103.
The Bowen Theory. (No date). Bowen theory. www.thebowencenter.org. Retrieved from http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/theory.html
Introduction
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family systems theory are two schools of counseling and psychotherapy that can be used to treat individuals and groups. Both have been well-researched and are strongly supported with evidence that shows their effectiveness. However, each one has more applicability in certain situations and with certain populations. Understanding the merits of each school within its proper context can help one to apply it in the most relevant circumstances. This paper will compare and contrast the two schools of counseling and psychotherapy, provide an overview of the evidence used to support their applicability, discuss the pros and cons of each for specific populations, address what current research indicates on the applicability of these theories to various cultures, identify the cultures that would best be served by these theories, and provide an original case study that exemplifies the findings of this research.
Comparing and Contrasting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with…...
mlaReferences
Abramowitz, J. S., Abramowitz, J. S., Arch, J. J., Abramowitz, J. S., Deacon, B. J., Whiteside, S. P. H. & Amella, E. (2017). Dysfunctional control by client verbal behavior: The context of reason giving. Innovations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Strategic Interventions for Creative Practice, 29, ix-xii.Bedoya, C. A., Dale, S. K., & Ehlinger, P. P. (2017). Cultural Competence Within Behavioral Medicine: Culturally Competent CBT with Diverse Medical Populations. In The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 321-334). Humana Press, Cham.Bitter, J. R., & Carlson, J. (2017). Adlerian thought and process in systems of family therapy. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 73(4), 307-327.Campbell, M., Decker, K. P., Kruk, K., & Deaver, S. P. (2016). Art therapy and cognitive processing therapy for combat-related PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Art therapy, 33(4), 169-177.Duncan, W. L. (2017). Dinámicas Ocultas: Culture and Psy?Sociality in Mexican Family Constellations Therapy. Ethos, 45(4), 489-513.Escobar, K. M., & Gorey, K. M. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral interventions for anxiety disorders: Rapid review suggestion of larger effects among Hispanic than non-Hispanic white people. Journal of Social Service Research, 44(2), 132-140.Haddock, S. A., Weiler, L. M., Trump, L. J., & Henry, K. L. (2017). The efficacy of internal family systems therapy in the treatment of depression among female college students: A pilot study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(1), 131-144.Lock, J., Fitzpatrick, K. K., Agras, W. S., Weinbach, N., & Jo, B. (2018). Feasibility study combining art therapy or cognitive remediation therapy with family?based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 26(1), 62-68.
Experiential Family Therapy (EFT) is the central place of humanistic therapies and psychology. This therapy includes the works of Fritz Perls, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow, along with the communication theories and family systems of Paul Watzlavick, Don Jackson, and Gregory ateson. It is called a meeting place for all the theorists because clearly the experiential family therapy includes multiple systems used for therapy. The authors ecvar & evcar (2006) like to call these 'experimental approaches to family therapy' instead of 'experimental models'. Virginia Satir, one of the main predecessors of the experiential approach, is also considered to be part of communication approaches as well as experiential (Lester, 2009).
The family tree of the family system has three main parts: (1) the Communications approach of Virginia Satir; (2) the Gestalt experiential approach of Walter Kempler; and (3) the Symbolic experiential approach of Carl Whitaker (ecvar & ecvar, 2006). However, the focus…...
mlaBibliography
Becvar, D.S. & Becvar, R.J. (2006). Family therapy: A systemic integration. Boston, MA: Pearson
Broderick, P., & Weston, C. (2009). Family Therapy with a Depressed Adolescent. NCBI, 32-37. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719446/
Greenburg, L.S., Watson, J.C., & Lietaer, G. (1998). Handbook of experiential psychotherapy. New York: Guilford
Israelstam, K. (1988). Contrasting four major family therapy paradigms: implications for family therapy training. Journal of Family Therapy, 179-196.
Family Therapies
Structural family approach
Major contributors of Structural family approach
Structural family approach mainly operates by considering problems within the family structure, it emphasizes on dealing with the individual symptom through examination of the whole family interaction pattern. Furthermore, this theory does not insist on the relation between family interactions and pathology but, it associates the symptoms with family's interaction. Structural family theory has three operating areas, these include; the family, the problem itself and the change process. First stage entails, the therapist knowing the kind of family he/she is dealing with, the composition and hierarchy of the family. he/she tries to fit in the family's environment so as to capture the real picture. In the second stage, the therapist identifies is specifically stopping the family from living harmoniously. he/she also finds out the function and position of the problem behavior Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008()
History of Structural family approach
Salvador Minuchin is credited…...
mlaReferences
Bobrow, E., & Ray, W.A. (2004). Strategic Family Therapy in the Trenches. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 23(4), 28-38. doi: 10.1521/jsyt.23.4.28.57840
D'Angelo, S.L. (1995). The Milan approach to therapy revisited. PsycCRITIQUES, 40(4), 352-352. doi: 10.1037/003578
Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2008). Family Therapy: An Overview: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Rosen, K.H. (2003). Strategic family therapy. In L.L. Hecker & J.L. Wetchler (Eds.), An introduction to marriage and family therapy. (pp. 95-121). Binghamton, NY U.S.: Haworth Clinical Practice Press.
Systems Theory
Napier & Whitaker's (1978) classic The Family Crucible is the benchmark book related to family therapy. The book is thorough, and divided into twenty chapters that cover the gamut of family therapy theory and especially practice. Napier & Whitaker (1978) are family systems theorists, and they openly divulge their appreciation for an approach to individual psychology that takes into account family systems. In other words, no individual can be understood or helped without paying attention to the family situation, its dynamics, and its role in identity formation and coping. The authors discuss dysfunctional family systems via a case study. By focusing on one case study, Napier & Whitaker (1978) show how family systems theory works, and what clients can expect from the process.
The authors weave their personal views and experiences throughout the case study, which clutters and bogs down the narrative, but which also provides a necessary context for…...
mlaReferences
Napier, A.Y. & Whitaker, C. (1978). The Family Crucible. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Shift From First-order to Second-Order Cybernetics in the Family and Systemic Therapies
The strategic family therapy model came up in the 1950s and was inspired by two primary works: the works of Milton Erickson who came up with revolutionary paradoxical interventions which took advantage of people's resistance to change to help alter psychiatric symptoms first; and the works of Gregory Bateson and the Palo Alto Group that made use of cybernetics in communication patterns of the family. The style of a therapist changes as he or she gets better as a person and as they develop professionally, and also as per what is in fashion at the time. An older person has the chance to look at what happened in their past and see what worked and what failed. This gives them a better perspective of what works and what might not work for a given situation. The path is…...
mlaReferences
Asen, E. (2004). Outcome research in family therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, vol. 8, pp. 230-238
Asen, K.E., Berkowitz, R., Cooklin, A., et al. (1991). Family therapy outcome research: a trial for families, therapists and researchers. Family Process, 30, 3-20.
Baron, P. (2007). Ecosystemic psychology; first and second order cybernetics.
Baucom, D., Shoham, V., Mueser, K., et al. (1998). Empirically supported couple and family interventions for marital distress and adult mental health problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 53-88.
Counselling Theories
Postmodern and Family System Theory Approach
There have been significant interest in research on the problems of addiction; hence, the many scientific studies on the issue. Many of the studies in this area end up with the same conclusions; the concept of addiction is complicated. The complexity partly arises from the effect it has on the drug abuser from different perspectives such as psychological, social, biological, and the impacts of addiction on social law, economics and politics. On the other hand, psychologists perceive drug addiction as a disease. From a religious worldview, addiction is a sin. Therefore, it is possible to view addiction from a medical, behavioral, and spiritual angle. As stated, the concept of addiction is complex, and there are many definitions of addiction reflecting the complexity of the phenomenon (Sremac, 2010).
Notably, all the definitions of addiction portray a negative judgment on addiction, but owing to the complexity of…...
mlaReferences
Caldwell, K., & Claxton, C. (2010). Teaching Family Systems Theory: A Developmental-
Constructivist Perspective. Contemporary Family Therapy, 32(1), 3-21.
Gruber, K.J., & Taylor, M.F. (2006). A Family Perspective for Substance Abuse: Implications
from the Literature. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 6(1), 1 -- 29.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy treatment (DBT) falls within the category of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Its main focus is on psychosocial characteristics. Based on the theory that emotions can trigger intense reactions in some persons (especially in family/friend or romantic situations), DBT proposes that the extreme swings in feeling can be better controlled by enabling the individual to more easily identify the kinds of thoughts and feelings that have an intense impact and prepare the person cognitively to approach these emotional surges in a new way.
Anderson et al. (2015) show that DBT can be an effective strategy for helping young patients with bulimia nervosa, but that because of limitations inherent within the treatment, it can best be applied in conjunction with family-based therapy. The rationale for this is that DBT naturally lends itself to family-based therapy, because it focuses on relationships and the individual's response to them. By incorporating family-based therapy…...
This recognition that injury and pain, common accompaniments to illness and medical treatment effect the whole family, not just the person suffering the illness or injury was profound. (Tallian, 2001, p. 119) Going through such an exercise as role playing is invaluable to the care provider as it offers the concepts in such a way that the individual can internalize point-of-view and begin to understand the steps needed to be aware of others needs an feelings.
It is clear that caring for the child, is not simply caring for the child. In a nursing situation or any health care delivery situation the standards that are set by the early impression of the health care situation as FCC supporting can make or break other experiences for the family and profoundly effect the outcomes for children. aofian, even though she and her husband and Omid had had very positive medical experiences in…...
mlaReferences
2001) Learning to Nurse the Family, Editorial. Journal of Family Nursing, 7(2) 117-127.
Bruce, B. Letourneau, N. Ritchie, J. Larocque, S. Dennis, S. Elliot, M.R. (2002) a Multisite Study of Health Professionals' Perceptions and Practices of Family-Centered Care. Journal of Family Nursing, 8(4) 408-429.
Bruder, M.B. (2000). Family-Centered Early Intervention: Clarifying Our Values for the New Millennium. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 20(2), 105.
Raofian, D. (2003) Omid's Story: The Power of Family-Centered Care, Journal of Family Nursing, 9(3) 227-231.
Therapeutic Orientation to Counseling
My therapeutic orientation to counseling is based on the eclecticism with which I have always approached life. I have found the human condition to be influenced by a diversity of sources and any hope of understanding and treating that condition depends upon approaching it by diverse means. In one sense, this is called being an integrative therapist. In another sense, it is called being open to the complex patterns and subtle responses of human experience, which may be interpreted and positively treated in any combination of ways. I have chosen the following several theories of therapeutic orientation as examples of my eclectic approach and with each I show how my thoughts, skills, beliefs and values resonate with them.
Supportive psychotherapy is a good starting place for the counselor who believes that every individual's character is a work in process and that structural changes to that work should come…...
mlaReference List
Becvar, D.S. (1997). Soul Healing: A Spiritual Orientation in Counseling and Therapy. NY: BasicBooks.
Rogers, C. (2012). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Family CounselingFamily therapy systems adopt systems thinking approach in which the family is viewed as an emotional unit. Through this approach, family therapy systems conceptualize psychosocial symptoms of individuals within families. There are various family therapy theories that can be applied to different situations as part of family therapy systems to address individuals psychosocial symptoms. One theory that can be used to conceptualize the psychosocial symptoms of individuals within families based on the Wilsons case is Bowens family system theory. This theory suggests that people are attached to their network of relationships within the family (Brown, 2014). By portraying how people are inseparable from their network of relationships, this theory suggests that changes in the behaviors of one family member could affect family functioning over time. In relation to Wilsons case, this theory can be used in the conceptualization of family issues through examining the network of relationships between them.…...
mlaReferencesBrown, J. (2014). Bowen Family Systems Theory and practice: Illustration and critique. Retrieved May 20, 2021, from J. (2014). An application of Bowen Family Systems Theory. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 35(11), 835-841. https://www.thefsi.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bowen-Family-Systems-Theory-and-Practice_Illustration-and-Critique.pdf Haefner,
Murray Bowen developed a theory of family functioning and individual functioning within the family system. The Bowen theory most importantly takes into account the need to balance individuality with togetherness in tight social systems like families ("Bowenian Family Therapy," n.d.). There are eight basic concepts to the Bowen theory. The first is the differentiation of self, which is important for psychological health and well-being. An example of differentiation of self is when the person is able to hold a different opinion on a political or social issue than a parent without that difference causing a problem in the relationship. When the self is not differentiated, the person might have internalized the beliefs of mother, father, sister, or brother and cannot tell what is really "me" versus what is a result of programming, the desire for approval or absorbing others' beliefs.
The second concept to Bowen's theory is triangulation. Bowen believes that…...
mlaReferences
"Bowenian Family Therapy," (n.d.). Retrieved online: http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/counseling/bowen.html
Vermont Center for Family Studies (n.d). What are the eight interlocking concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory? Retrieved online: http://www.vermontcenterforfamilystudies.org/about_vcfs/the_eight_concepts_of_bowen_theory/
Vingnettes
Psychology of marriage and family systems
Vignette Three
Considering the text reading assignments, what do you see going on with Phillip and his family?
Given that Phillip was born to a mother who abused alcohol in the past, it is possible that there are physical issues which are affecting his performance in school. Phillip should be screened for learning disabilities and other issues which could inhibit his progress. Phillip is also struggling with issues which make him 'different' from his peers, including the poverty of his household, the fact that he is being shipped from one home to another as the result of his parents' divorce, and the fact that he might receive negative attention because of his mother's LBGT status as well as the fact he is a Native American.
If Phillip is being sexually molested, however, this could be another source of his withdrawal and anxiety, given that these are symptoms often…...
mlaReferences
Lubell K.M., Lofton T, Singer H.H. (2008). Promoting healthy parenting practices across cultural groups: A CDC Research Brief. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2008.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/images/DVP/Healthy_Parenting_RIB_a.pdf
Lucero, S. (2007). Working with Indian families and child substance abuse challenges. NRC4
Tribes. Retrieved from: http://www.nrc4tribes.org/files/Urban%20Indian%20guide.pdf
Dana is a young and beautiful woman with family members that seem to constantly put her down whenever they get together. They appear to be self-centered and attention seeking. The mother has set expectations she places on her family and seems angry whenever they do not meet those expectations. For example, the mother suggested Dana get breast enlargement surgery to appease her boyfriend Matt. Her sister, Joanie also commented on Dana's appearance, making sure to let Dana know she appeared overweight or had a large rear end. These comments can and do affect people's self-esteem especially when the source of such comments are from people that person loves or is supposed to trust.
Dana takes everything and says nothing, agreeing with the remarks and feeling like she truly is overweight even if objectively people see her as very attractive. She also cannot say how she feels even around her boyfriend. Matt…...
mlaReferences
Arendt, K., Thastum, M., & Hougaard, E. (2015). Homework Adherence and Cognitive Behaviour Treatment Outcome for Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders. Behavioural And Cognitive Psychotherapy, 44(02), 225-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1352465815000429
Gingerich, W. & Peterson, L. (2013). Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Systematic Qualitative Review of Controlled Outcome Studies. Research On Social Work Practice, 23(3), 266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049731512470859
Hayes, S., Levin, M., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Contextual Behavioral Science: Examining the Progress of a Distinctive Model of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 180-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2009.08.002
Hofmann, S., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I., Sawyer, A., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy And Research, 36(5), 427-440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now