PTT Family Therapy

Family Systems Therapy

A form of family therapy that focuses on the interactions and relationships within the family system, viewing the family as the patient.

Identified Patient

The family member who exhibits symptoms or problems that bring the family into therapy.

Cohesion

The balance between connectedness and differentiation of family members.

Adaptability

The ability of a family to be flexible and adjust to changes in members and circumstances.

Boundaries

Rules within a family that define who can participate and how, which can be too rigid (enmeshed) or too fluid (disengaged).

Triangles

Three-person emotional configurations that serve as the basic building blocks of family emotional systems.

Coalitions

Alliances between two family members against a third, often seen in signaling alliances in family dynamics.

Intergenerational Transmission

The repetition of family patterns across generations, where behaviors and dynamics are passed down.

Family Belief Systems

Collective beliefs held by family members about how the family should function and their views of the world.

Self Processes

Facets of family therapy that focus on the individual's sense of self and how it relates to others within the family context.

Family Life Cycle Challenges

The various issues and dynamics families face as they develop and progress through different stages of life.

Role of the Therapist

The responsibility of family therapists to create alliances with family members, educate them, and structure treatment.

Enactment

A therapeutic technique where families bring their problems into the therapy space for observation and coaching.

Externalizing the Problem

A technique that separates the problem from the individual, allowing for new discussions and perspectives.

Family Sculpting

A therapeutic method where one family member positions others to represent family dynamics, used to explore family functioning.