Running Head: FAMILY WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................1
The Family Systems Perspective....................................................................................1
Theoretical Approach.................................................................................................2
Analysis of the Family System & Three-Generation Genogram...................................3
Family History............................................................................................................3
Characteristics of the Family System.........................................................................5
Conclusion......................................................................................................................9
Works Cited..................................................................................................................10
Appendix......................................................................................................................11
Introduction
Our personal perspective and western culture often tell us that we are autonomous
individuals, capable of free and independent choice. But we are born into families, and many
of us live our entire lives attached to one form of family or another. Within our families, we
discover who we are, develop and change, as well as give and receive and provide the support
we need for survival [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. We create, maintain and live by often
unspoken rules and routines that aim to maintain family functioning. As a result, the family
systems perspective has developed.
The Family Systems Perspective
Family systems theory has developed over the past 100 years, and today counsellors
utilise various perspectives when they tailor therapy to a respective family. The first known
associates of family therapy were Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs who used a model now
known as open-forum family counselling [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. Phenomenology,
, FAMILY WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS 2
introduced by Adler, contributed to our understanding of family constellations and sought to
discover the goals and purposes of behaviour within these interactions [ CITATION Pau12 \l
1033 ]. Also referred to as Multigenerational family therapy, Murray Bowen’s family systems
approach evolved from psychoanalytic principles and practices. Murray Bowen believed that
families could best be understood when analysed from a three-generational perspective due to
patterns of interpersonal relationships connecting family members across generations
[ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. Bowen’s objectives in therapy were to assist family members
in developing a rational, non-reactive approach to living, known as differentiation of self. His
other objective was to detangle family interactions that involved two people pulling a third
person into problems or arguments, known as triangulation. His observations led to his
interest in family patterns across generations. Bowen believed that the issues shown in one’s
current family will not significantly change until the relationship patterns in one’s family of
origin are understood and directly challenged [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ].
Theoretical Approach
Bowen’s approach is based on the idea that predictable patterns of interpersonal
relationships connect the functioning of family members across generations. Thus, it is
believed that an individual’s problems can only be understood by viewing the role of the
family as an emotional unit [ CITATION Ste99 \l 1033 ]. Unresolved emotional reactivity to
one’s family needs to be addressed if one wants to develop a unique personality within the
family unit, and unresolved emotional issues will be passed down from one generation to the
next until dealt with effectively. For such change to occur, other family members need to
assist the individual experiencing problems [ CITATION Ste99 \l 1033 ].
The family systems perspective is based on the assumptions that firstly, a client’s
problematic behaviour may serve a purpose or function for the family, secondly, may be
unintentionally maintained by family processes, thirdly, issues may be a function of the
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................1
The Family Systems Perspective....................................................................................1
Theoretical Approach.................................................................................................2
Analysis of the Family System & Three-Generation Genogram...................................3
Family History............................................................................................................3
Characteristics of the Family System.........................................................................5
Conclusion......................................................................................................................9
Works Cited..................................................................................................................10
Appendix......................................................................................................................11
Introduction
Our personal perspective and western culture often tell us that we are autonomous
individuals, capable of free and independent choice. But we are born into families, and many
of us live our entire lives attached to one form of family or another. Within our families, we
discover who we are, develop and change, as well as give and receive and provide the support
we need for survival [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. We create, maintain and live by often
unspoken rules and routines that aim to maintain family functioning. As a result, the family
systems perspective has developed.
The Family Systems Perspective
Family systems theory has developed over the past 100 years, and today counsellors
utilise various perspectives when they tailor therapy to a respective family. The first known
associates of family therapy were Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs who used a model now
known as open-forum family counselling [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. Phenomenology,
, FAMILY WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS 2
introduced by Adler, contributed to our understanding of family constellations and sought to
discover the goals and purposes of behaviour within these interactions [ CITATION Pau12 \l
1033 ]. Also referred to as Multigenerational family therapy, Murray Bowen’s family systems
approach evolved from psychoanalytic principles and practices. Murray Bowen believed that
families could best be understood when analysed from a three-generational perspective due to
patterns of interpersonal relationships connecting family members across generations
[ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ]. Bowen’s objectives in therapy were to assist family members
in developing a rational, non-reactive approach to living, known as differentiation of self. His
other objective was to detangle family interactions that involved two people pulling a third
person into problems or arguments, known as triangulation. His observations led to his
interest in family patterns across generations. Bowen believed that the issues shown in one’s
current family will not significantly change until the relationship patterns in one’s family of
origin are understood and directly challenged [ CITATION GCo17 \l 1033 ].
Theoretical Approach
Bowen’s approach is based on the idea that predictable patterns of interpersonal
relationships connect the functioning of family members across generations. Thus, it is
believed that an individual’s problems can only be understood by viewing the role of the
family as an emotional unit [ CITATION Ste99 \l 1033 ]. Unresolved emotional reactivity to
one’s family needs to be addressed if one wants to develop a unique personality within the
family unit, and unresolved emotional issues will be passed down from one generation to the
next until dealt with effectively. For such change to occur, other family members need to
assist the individual experiencing problems [ CITATION Ste99 \l 1033 ].
The family systems perspective is based on the assumptions that firstly, a client’s
problematic behaviour may serve a purpose or function for the family, secondly, may be
unintentionally maintained by family processes, thirdly, issues may be a function of the
