Family Systems Theory

Bowenian Theory: A theoretical framework that emphasizes the intergenerational transmission of emotional patterns within families.

Structural Theory: A theoretical framework that emphasizes the importance of role differentiation, boundaries, and hierarchies within families.

Strategic Theory: A theoretical framework that focuses on the use of strategic interventions to change family behavior patterns.

Narrative Therapy: A theoretical framework that focuses on the construction of shared family stories as a way of promoting change.

Attachment Theory: A theoretical framework that investigates the ways in which early patterns of attachment shape the functioning of families.

Emotion-Focused Therapy: A theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of emotions in family functioning and promotes emotional expression and regulation.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of thoughts and beliefs in shaping family behavior patterns.

Family Dynamics: The ways in which family members interact with one another, including communication patterns, power struggles, and boundary setting.

Family Systems Assessment: The process of systematically gathering information about a family in order to understand its functioning and identify areas for change.

Family Therapy Techniques: A range of techniques and interventions used in family therapy, including genograms, reframing, enactments, and communication skills training.

Multicultural Issues: The unique cultural, ethnic, and religious factors that shape family systems and influence the therapeutic process.

Trauma and Crisis Intervention: An understanding of the impact of traumatic events and crises on families and the development of effective interventions to address these issues.

Ethics and Professional Practice: An understanding of ethical principles and best practices in working with families and children in a social work context.

Structural Family Therapy: This approach addresses family patterns and structures that maintain problems and difficulties. This technique analyzes roles, relationships, and boundaries within the family.

Strategic Family Therapy: This approach explores how family members interact with each other, and focuses on changing behaviors that are problematic.

Emotionally Focused Therapy: This places emphasis on relationships and attachment bonds; the goal is to create a secure attachment between family members.

Transgenerational Therapy: This theory recognizes that current problems can be rooted in past family patterns and highlights multigenerational connections and the effects on the family system.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This is a short-term treatment process that uses problem-solving techniques and addresses how thoughts (cognition) affects feelings and actions, and applies that to the family system.

Narrative Therapy: This approach focuses on the stories family members tell about themselves and encourages re-authoring of these stories.

Solution-Focused Therapy: This approach focuses on the strengths in the family and solutions to problems. The therapist helps the family identify what is working and can be extended to other areas of the family system.

Bowenian Family Therapy: This theory emphasizes differentiation of self, the ability to separate thoughts and feelings, which often fall into the subconscious generation after generation.