Family Therapy

Strategic family therapy is a family therapy that addresses specific problems. These problems are addressed in a shorter amount of time than the other therapy modalities. Strategic family therapy is part of the major models and brief psychotherapy. This therapy is designed to treat and prevent adolescent and child behavioral problems. This therapy helps reduce risk factors for adolescent drug abuse and strengthens their protective factors. This therapy targets children and adolescents who are displaying or at risk (of developing) behavioral problems that include substance abuse. (Youth.Gov)

Structural family therapy uses the model that is based on systems theory. It focuses on structural changes because the main goal is therapy. Structural family therapy focuses on three different areas which include family, the presenting problem, and the process of change. Based on this model it states that not only is the family an impact on an individual but also their environment. The basic theory is based on destructuralization because if the family and the environment doesn’t change then the therapy would not be successful. This therapy teaches the individuals within the family to be flexible so that they can come up with alternative ways of dealing with their family members. When the clients and their families have become self-sufficient without the help of the therapist is when the family’s therapy comes to an end. (M.U.S.E)

Bowen’s family therapy looks at the impact the emotional system has on our behaviors. It is capable of affecting each individual positively or negatively. Bowen’s thought was that all our emotional systems are different and adjust to the environment around us or it can compel it. The basic level of this therapy is self-manifested to a degree in how the person manages how they think over their lifetime. This therapy helps families who acknowledge their emotions without letting these emotions rule their actions. This therapy also covers the nuclear family process where it deals with emotional distance, dysfunction in a spouse, marital conflict, and transferring the problem to a child. A therapist would help the family focus on intellectual and purposeful behaviors instead of their behaviors fueled by their emotions. (M.U.S.E)

Experiential family therapy helps redefine symptoms so that the individual can focus on growth. This therapy helps the family model alternatives to how they react to each other. For example, the family could model how their normal day-to-day interactions and then be encouraged to try a different approach that they could try instead. (M.U.S.E)

I feel that experiential family therapy is great for families, couples, children, and significant others because it focuses on how the individuals usually react versus how they could react in a healthier way. This model works great for different age groups because it takes your way of thinking at any age and helps you alter your thought process to a healthier one.

I also feel that Bowen’s family therapy is great for all ages because it focuses on our emotional state at any stage in our lives. I feel that Bowen’s family therapy is best for families because not only can the therapist help the child understand their feelings, but the parents can also benefit from this therapy because as parents we also need help with our emotional system.

I feel that structural family therapy is great for families or couples because I don’t feel like children alone because the main component is family and family problems. I feel that strategic therapy would be best for children because it focuses on children and adolescents. Like I stated above, “. This therapy targets children and adolescents who are displaying or at risk (of developing) behavioral problems that include substance abuse.”.

Based on all four treatment models I find experimental family therapy most fascinating because it focuses on our interactions with others and how we react to others around us and our environment. However, I would have Bowen’s family therapy intertwined with the experimental family therapy because it also helps us understand our responses if we are reacting in a negative way. Bowen’s family therapy would help the family understand why they are reacting one way and how to control their emotional responses during their role-playing in the experimental family therapy.

Each model has its purpose so I feel I would use each of these. Depending on the family would depend on what they would use. For example, if it is a child who is abusing drugs or alcohol I would use strategic family therapy because it targets children and adolescents who are displaying or at risk (of developing) behavioral problems that include substance abuse.

However, if I have a couple who are having marital problems I would use structural family therapy because it is family, the presenting problem, and the process of change and/or Bowen’s family therapy so that they can assess their emotions and alter them in healthier ways. Instead of getting angry and screaming they could learn to say things like “I feel ….. when you …..” instead of screaming and breaking things. I believe that having a strong foundation is beneficial to growth and healing and for Bowen’s family therapy I feel like the individual would have to understand their emotions to change them making this difficult for younger children to heal under this therapy unless they had a firm grasp of how they feel.

In conclusion, I feel like the type of therapy depends on the family and their needs. Each therapy has the potential to help in certain situations. If I had to choose one therapy I wasn’t fond of the most I would say structural family therapy because the family cannot be successful at therapeutic progress if parts of the family are resistant. However, the same thought could go for Bowen’s family therapy because like I stated above if the individual does not understand how to express their emotions I feel like this could halt progress which could cause more family problems. I feel like in this situation experiential family therapy would be best because the family can model their conversations and the therapist can read the child’s body language and examine how they see the situation.

_______________________

Thank you for taking the time to read my work.

If you enjoyed my piece, please consider clicking the little heart beside my name. Tips aren't necessary but would be most welcome.

If you are interested in reading more of my work, please click on my picture below.

References

M.U.S.E. (Viewed on April 21, 2021). Bowen Theory.

Retrieved from: https://class.ctuonline.edu/_layouts/MUSEViewer/Asset.aspx?MID=19780143&aid=19780154

M.U.S.E. (Viewed on April 21, 2021). Structural Family Therapy.

Retrieved from: https://class.ctuonline.edu/_layouts/MUSEViewer/Asset.aspx?MID=19780143&aid=19780144

M.U.S.E. (Viewed on April 21, 2021). Symbolic Experiential Therapy.

Retrieved from: https://class.ctuonline.edu/_layouts/MUSEViewer/Asset.aspx?MID=19780143&aid=19780151

Youth.Gov. (Viewed on April 21, 2021). Brief Strategic Family Therapy.

Retrieved from: https://youth.gov/content/brief-strategic-family-therapy