Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

1. Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

2. Lay of the Land • Two closely related philosophical traditions inform family therapy approaches: • Systems theory • Social constructivism • Traditional theories draw more on systemic theory. • More recent theories draw from social constructionist.

3. Systemic Foundations • The Macy Conferences (1940s): • A group of scholars and researchers met to discuss how groups of things operate to form a“system.” • Several“systems” theories developed from these meetings. • Early family therapies integrated these systems concepts. • Systems Theories • A unique philosophical view of human behavior.

4. Foundational Systemic Thinkers • Some of the contributors to systemic theory: • Gregory Bateson • Heinz von Foerster • Milton Erickson • Bradford Keeney

5. Systemic Assumptions • General Systems Theory • Systems operate using the same basic principles. • Cybernetic Systems Theory • Closely related, but more focused on social systems. • Most influence on family therapy. • They are self-correcting, moving towards dynamic homeostasis.

6. Homeostasis and Self-Correction • Homeostasis in families refers to the unique set of behavioral, emotional, and interactional norms that create stability for the family or other social group. • Not static but dynamic. • The key to maintaining stability is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback.

7. Negative and Positive Feedback • Negative feedback • Nonew information, system remains the same – homeostasis. • Positive feedback • Yes, new information is coming in, system is changing. • In most systems, response to positive feedback is return to homeostasis.

8. Change and Communication • First- and second-order change: • Second-order change: change after positive feedback. • First-order change: system returns to previous homeostasis after positive feedback. • Concept is helpful when working with complex family dynamics • “One Cannot Not Communicate” • All behavior is a form of communication.

9. Communication-Report and Command • Report • Content, the literal meaning of the statement. • Command • The metacommunication— how to interpret the communication. Serves to define the relationship. • All behavior is a form of communication. • Arguments appearing to be over “little things” are really about how the relationship is being defined in relation to those little things.

10. Double Binds • Two people in an intense relationship with high degree of survival value • Within the relationship, message is given that is structured with: • a) primary injunction (request or order) and • b) a simultaneous secondary injunction that contradicts the first. • Receiver senses that he/she cannot escape or step outside the cognitive frame of the contradiction.

11. Relationships-Symmetrical & Complementary • Symmetrical relationships • Each party has symmetrical or evenly distributed abilities in the system. • Complementary relationships • Each party has a distinct role that complements the other, often resulting in a form of hierarchy. • Examples include: pursuer/distancer, emotional/logical, easy-going/organized

12. Family as a System • Defining feature of systemic approaches to family therapy is viewing the family as a system; an entity. • No single person orchestrates the interaction patterns. • All behavior makes sense in context. • No single person can be blamed for family distress. • Personal characteristics are system dependent.

13. Second-Order Cybernetics • Applying systemic principles to the observing system (i.e. the therapist) • The creation of a new, observer-observed system: a second-order (or level) of system. • Therapist can no longer assume to be a neutral, unbiasedobserver. • Remain aware of how therapeutic behavior shapes that of the client.

14. Social Constructivist Foundations • Most influential in development of new psychotherapy models. • Ex: Solution-focused, collaborative, and narrative therapies • Textual Metaphor • People “story” their lives to create meaning. • Relational Focus • Maintains an emphasis on relationships and relational construction of reality

15. Social Constructivist Theorists • Foundational Theorists include: • Kenneth Gergen • First introduced social constructionist ideas in 1985 laying the foundation for the development of this approach; notably Collaborative Therapy. • Sheila McNamee • John Shotter • Michel Foucault

16. Postmodern Assumptions • “Truths” &“realities” are constructed, language and consciousness develop meanings — the value of an object • Different schools of postmodern emphasize different levels of reality construction: • Linguistic Level: Post-structuralism & Philosophy of Language • Person Level: Constructivism • Relational Level: Social Constructionism • Societal Level: Critical Theory

17. Postmodern Assumptions • Reality is constructed through language. • Language is not neutral. • Words fashion our identities, identify what is and is not a problem. • Reality is negotiated through relationships. • Meanings attributed to life experiences are not developed alone. • Meanings a person gives are always embedded in a web of relationships.

18. Postmodern Assumptions • Tradition, Culture, and Oppression • Culture provides a set of values that its members use to interpret their lives. • Provides a framework for safety and effectively interacting with others. • Selecting certain goods and values over others creates labels of judgment. • Cultural oppressiveness is directly correlated with reflexivity.

19. Postmodern Assumptions • Reflexivity and Humanity • A culture remains humane to the extent that it is reflexive, able to examine the effects of itself on others and to question and doubt its values and meanings. • Within any group there are some people for whom the dominant cultural norms “fit” and those for whom they do not.

20. Postmodern Assumptions • Social Constructionism, Postmodernism, and Diversity • Suspiciousness about singular “truths” has affected the practice of most therapies. • Norms of human behavior are relative because they are established by one group. • Diverse people each have their own reality and truths.

21. How to Choose a Theory Dating vs. Marrying Theories • “Play the field” before deciding which theory works best for you. • Dating a few theories increases: • Skill and knowledge base. • Awareness of who you are and your style as a therapist.

22. Defining Your Philosophy • Settling Down With One Theory • Clarify for yourself: • Whatit means to be human (ontology). • Howpeople learn and change (epistemology). • Commits also to the broader philosophy of the theory’s foundation. • 4 major categories of family therapy theories: modernism, humanism, systemic, and postmodern

23. Modernism • Founded on logical-positivist assumptions of an external “Truth.” • Therapist is an expert, assuming role of teacher or mentor. • Two family therapy schools: • Psychodynamic • Cognitive-behavioral therapies

24. Humanism • Founded on phenomenological philosophy that prioritizes the individual’s subjective truth. • Supportive, nurturing environments promote therapeutic change. • Includes: Carl Roger’s client-centered therapy, Fritz Perl’s Gestalt therapy, Virginia Satir’s communications approach among others

25. Systemic Grounded in general systems theory and cybernetic systems theory. Emphasize‘contextual’ truth. One cannot not communicate; all behavior is a form of communication. An individual’s behavior and symptoms always make sense in the person’s broader relational contexts.

26. Postmodern • Based on the premise that objective truth can never be fully known. • Objectivity is not humanly possible. • Language and words greatly affect how one’s identity is shaped/experienced. • Three influential schools: Constructivism, social constructivism, and structuralism/poststructuralism

27. Committing to a Theory • Mastering one theoretical approach and the underlying philosophical assumptions enables deeper understanding of other theories. • Allows for integration and adaptation of ideas from other approaches while staying philosophically consistent with one’s own approach.