Family Therapy Terms

General Systems Theory

Predicts systems consist of interacting components.

Cybernetic Theory

Examines mechanisms regulating a system's functioning.

Negative Feedback Loops

Resist change, maintain the status quo.

Positive Feedback Loops

Amplify change, disrupt the status quo.

Double-Bind Communication

Contradictory messages causing confusion in recipients.

Schizophrenia

Disorder linked to double-bind communication.

Symmetrical Interactions

Interactions reflecting equality between participants.

Complementary Interactions

Interactions reflecting inequality in roles.

Postmodernism

Challenges universal laws in family therapy.

Differentiation

Separating personal feelings from others' emotions.

Emotional Fusion

Low differentiation leads to emotional dependency.

Emotional Triangle

Three-person system to alleviate family tension.

Family Projection Process

Parents project emotional issues onto children.

Multigenerational Transmission Process

Emotional immaturity passed across generations.

Bowenian Therapist

Works with individuals or dyads to increase differentiation.

Genogram

Maps family relationships over three generations.

Structural Family Therapy

Focuses on family structure, bounderies, and dynamics.

Subsystems

Smaller units within the family system.

Boundaries

Rules determining family members' interactions.

Enmeshed Relationships

Result from overly diffuse boundaries.

Disengaged Relationships

Result from overly rigid boundaries.

Stable Coalition

fixed Alliance between one parent and child against the other.

Unstable Coalition

Child sides with one parent against the other.

Detouring-Attack Coalition

Parents blame child to avoid conflict.

Detouring-Support Coalition

Parents overprotect child to avoid conflict.

Joining

Establishing therapeutic alliance with the family.

Family Map

Depicts family subsystems and boundaries.

Reframing

Relabeling behavior for constructive interpretation.

Unbalancing

Aligning with a member to change dynamics.

Boundary Making

Adjusting proximity between family members.

Enactment

Role-playing to encourage alternative behaviors.

Strategic Family Therapy

Focuses on power struggles in family dynamics.

Symptom

Strategy for controlling relationships when needed.

Initial Session Stages

Includes social, problem, interactional, and goal-setting.

Social Stage

Therapist welcomes family and observes interactions.

Initial session stages

Stages include problem, interactional, and goal-setting.

Problem stage

Therapist elicits family members' views on the problem.

Interactional stage

Family discusses the problem; therapist observes interactions.

Goal-setting stage

Therapist helps define the problem and set goals.

Straightforward directives

Instructions for specific behaviors to change interactions.

Paradoxical directives

Instructions to realize control over problematic behavior.

Prescribing the symptom

Instructing exaggerated engagement in problematic behavior.

Restraining

Encouraging caution against rapid change.

Ordeal

Task performed during undesirable behavior engagement.

Milan systemic family therapy

Focuses on family rules and communication patterns.

Family games

Rigid communication patterns causing problematic behavior.

Therapeutic team

Distinct feature involving collaborative therapy sessions.

Session gaps

Four to six weeks between therapy sessions.

Hypothesizing

Speculating about the family situation continuously.

Neutrality

Therapist accepts all family members' perceptions.

Circular questioning

Asking each member the same question for insights.

Positive connotation

Reframing symptoms as beneficial for family cohesion.

Family rituals

Activities between sessions to alter family dynamics.

Conjoint family therapy

Focuses on realistic expectations and communication.

Dysfunctional communication styles

Placating, blaming, computing, and distracting styles.

Placating style

Agreeing due to fear and desire for acceptance.

Blaming style

Accusing others to avoid responsibility.

Computing style

Overly rational approach to avoid emotions.

Distracting style

Changing subjects to avoid conflict.

Congruent style

Alignment between verbal and nonverbal messages.

Family sculpting

Technique depicting family relationships through positioning.

Family reconstruction

Role-playing to explore unresolved family issues.

Narrative family therapy

Focuses on rewriting oppressive personal stories.

Sparkling moments

Unique experiences contrasting problem-saturated narratives.

Externalizing problems

Viewing issues as separate from individuals.

Therapist's role

Collaborator helping construct healthier family narratives.

Externalizing question

Questions that separates the person from their problem

Therapeutic letters

Letters reinforcing emerging alternative family stories.

Therapeutic certificates

Acknowledgment of family members' accomplishments.

Definitional ceremonies

Celebrations of overcoming problems and changes made.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Integrates attachment theory with experiential approaches.

Primary Goal of EFT

Restructure emotional experiences and develop interaction patterns.

Core Assumptions of EFT

Emotions organize attachment behaviors and self-experience.

1st Assumption of EFT

Emotions are essential for attachment behaviors.

2nd Assumption of EFT

Attachment needs are healthy; insecurities cause problems.

3rd Assumption of EFT

Distress is maintained by interaction patterns.

EFT exceptions

Untreated substance use and unsafe emotional vulnerability.

Stages of EFT Therapy

Assessment, changing interactions, consolidation.

EFT and EMDR Relationship

Combined therapy improves marital satisfaction.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Targets at-risk adolescents and their families.

Primary Goal of FFT

Replace problematic behaviors with healthier alternatives.

FFT Session Duration

Typically 8 to 30 sessions over 3-6 months.

Stages of FFT

Engagement, behavior change, generalization.

Engagement Stage of FFT

Form therapeutic alliance and reduce negativity.

Behavior Change Stage of FFT

Identify goals and implement treatment plans.

Generalization Stage of FFT

Link to resources and apply new skills.

FFT Techniques in Behavior Change

Training in parenting, communication, and coping skills.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Addresses family, school, and social factors.

MST Target Population

Adolescents with serious behavioral problems.

MST Treatment Principles

Nine principles guiding therapy effectiveness.

MST Goal

Address factors driving adolescent problem behaviors.

MST Treatment Location

Provided in home and community settings.

Therapies Used in MST

Includes strategic, structural, and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

MST Treatment Fidelity

Ensures therapy is delivered as designed.

Stages of Group Therapy

Initial, conflict, and cohesiveness stages.

Initial Orientation Stage

Members clarify group nature and purpose.

Hesitant Participation Stage

Members depend on leader for structure.

Search for Meaning Stage

Members seek meaning in experiences.

Conflict Stage

Members may become critical or hostile.

Development of Cohesiveness Stage

Trust increases and conflict decreases.