Family Therapy Theories Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to various family therapy theories, enhancing understanding and retention for exam preparation.

Differentiation of Self

The degree of autonomy from one's family, influencing emotional health and relationships.

Emotional Triangles

A dynamic where two individuals under stress involve a third person to stabilize emotional anxiety.

Multigenerational Emotional Process

The influence of previous generations on an individual's emotional functioning and relationship patterns.

Sibling Position

The concept that a child's personality is shaped by their position within the family, such as first-born or later-born.

Emotional Cutoff

A strategy where an individual distances themselves from family members to manage anxiety.

Structural Theory

Focuses on the organization of a family into subsystems with defined boundaries and hierarchy.

Subsystems

Smaller units within a family defined by age, gender, or function, influencing interactions.

Boundaries

Invisible barriers that regulate interactions among family members, which can be rigid or enmeshed.

Cross-Generational Coalition

An inappropriate alliance between parents and children against other family members.

First-Order Change

A change in a specific behavior within a family system.

Second-Order Change

A change in the rules or structure of the family system.

Homeostasis

The state of balance within a family that can be disrupted by dysfunction.

Strategic Therapy

A therapeutic approach emphasizing problem-solving and changing dysfunctional behavior patterns.

Externalization

A technique in narrative therapy where problems are viewed as separate from individuals, aiding in reducing self-blame.

Solution-Focused Therapy

A brief therapeutic approach that emphasizes finding solutions and exceptions to problems rather than exploring their origins.

Miracle Question

A technique in solution-focused therapy that invites clients to envision a future where their problems are resolved.

Family Sculpting

A therapeutic exercise where one family member arranges others to illustrate perceptions and dynamics within the family.

Person of the Therapist

The therapist's authenticity and self-awareness as a central tool in therapy.

Satir's Goals of Family Therapy

Increase self-esteem, improve communication, and promote congruence in family interactions.

Double Bind Theory

A concept explaining how contradictory communication contributes to psychological symptoms, especially in schizophrenia.

Narrative Therapy

Focuses on the stories clients tell themselves about their problems and aims to reshape these narratives.