Goals
The goal of this model is to prevent sequences from repeating, by interrupting the family's covert hierarchical structure. This includes the distribution of power shifting to others to by changing the style of interaction. However, structural therapy is the opposite and works on altering the dysfunctional structure by promoting growth and encouragement in individuals for the building of family support. In addition, goals of family structure are to alter the dynamics and pprovide new alternative ways in solving problems and interactions. This includes subsystems that influence the way each member interacts with each other. Members that have trouble in solving family problems require a change in structure, implementing some order and organization. This includes realignment or the altering of behaviors in the family structure by working with each member finding ways to improve interaction. Minuchin’s goal is to promote a restructuring of the family system along more healthy lines, which he does by entering the various family subsystems, "continually causing upheavals by intervening in ways that will produce unstable situations which require change and the restructuring of family organization... Therapeutic change cannot occur unless some pre-existing frames of reference are modified, flexibility introduced and new ways of functioning developed." To accelerate such change, Minuchin manipulates the format of the therapy sessions, structuring desired subsystems by isolating them from the remainder of the family, either by the use of space and positioning (seating) within the room, or by having non-members of the desired substructure leave the room (but stay involved by viewing from behind a one-way mirror). The aim of such interventions is often to cause the unbalancing of the family system, in order to help them to see the dysfunctional patterns and remain open to restructuring. He believes that change must be gradual and taken in digestible steps for it to be useful and lasting. Because structures tend to self-perpetuate, especially when there is negative feedback, Minuchin asserts that therapeutic change is likely to be maintained beyond the limits of the therapy session. One variant or extension of his methodology can be said to move from manipulation of experience toward fostering understanding. When working with families who are not introspective and are oriented toward concrete thinking, Minuchin will use the subsystem isolation—one-way mirror technique to teach those family members on the viewing side of the mirror to move from being an enmeshed participant to being an evaluation observer. He does this by joining them in the viewing room and pointing out the patterns of transaction occurring on the other side of the mirror. While Minuchin doesn’t formally integrate this extension into his view of therapeutic change, it seems that he is requiring a minimal level of insight or understanding for his subsystem restructuring efforts to "take" and to allow for the resultant positive feedback among the subsystems to induce stability and resistance to change. Change, then, occurs in the subsystem level and is the result of manipulations by the therapist of the existing subsystems, and is maintained by its greater functionality and resulting changed frames of reference and positive feedback.Interventions
Structural therapy uses family mapping to join and accommodate the family setting. In addition, these areas pertain to family rules, patterns, and structure. Minuchin describes six areas of observation that are identified in the family structure. These areas include transactional patterns, flexibility, resonance, context, family development stage, and maintaining family interactions. In reference, intervention methods are based on directives that feed the symptom by giving a set of instructions to emphasize communication. The model also conceptualizes the problem with finding the right strategy to understand the issue with clarity.Foundation and assumptions
Structural family therapy helps identify family interactions by identifying the organization of that family setting. The primary assumption and foundation of this model is to identify family structure and the subsystems that are formed through the level of authority and boundaries. This includes a subsystem that develops boundaries that begin to evolve patterns for communication and everyday interaction. Nichols refers to family structure as the framework for transactions that have meaning and order to a family structure. The family structure model is based on organization and subsystems. This includes interactions between individuals, with assigned roles and expectations. Family members that are establishing rules will begin to recognize how that interaction will manifest into redundant patterns of communication. Members of the family begin to take on specific roles. This includes the level of authority and boundaries set forth during the development of the family structure. The main objective is to understand how members of a family structure can learn to solve problems with a greater understanding of interaction. In SFT, ''family rules'' are defined as an invisible set of functional demands that persistently organizes the interaction of the family. Important rules for a therapist to study include coalitions, boundaries, and power hierarchies between subsystems. According to Minuchin, a family is functional or dysfunctional based upon its ability to adapt to various stressors (extra-familial, idiosyncratic, developmental), which, in turn, rests upon the clarity and appropriateness of its subsystem boundaries. Boundaries are characterized along a continuum fromCriticisms
Structural family therapy has also been subjected to many criticisms. This theory met with much criticism, that this type of theory focused more on issues of power between different generations, rather than focusing more on issues of power that take place between relationships inside the current generation, for example, spousal abuse. In addition to this criticism, it has also been said that this kind of therapy only involves members of a nuclear family and ignores the interaction of other factors such as: extended family, social institutions, and neighbours. Further, feminist family therapy critics have argued that concepts such as "enmeshment" may "reflect prototypically male standards of self and relationships, which contribute to the common practice of labeling women's preferred interactional styles as pathological or dysfunctional." Empirical research in this critical feminist tradition has found that young women with the strongest sense of family cohesion have the highest social self-esteem, despite exhibiting what could be pathologized as "enmeshment."Gorbett, K., & Kruczek, T. (2008). Family factors predicting social self-esteem in young adults. The Family Journal, 16(1), 58-65See also
*References
Further reading
* * * * {{cite book, last1=Minuchin, first1=S., last2=Fishman, first2=H. C., year=2004, title=Family Therapy Techniques, publisher=Harvard University PressExternal links