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Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

Foundational Systemic Thinkers

Some of the contributors to systemic theory:

Gregory Bateson

Heinz von Foerster

Milton Erickson

Bradford Keeney

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

Negative and Positive Feedback

Negative feedback

No new 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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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, unbiased observer.

Remain aware of how therapeutic behavior shapes that of the client.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

Defining Your Philosophy

Settling Down With One Theory

Clarify for yourself:

What it means to be human (ontology).

How people 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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart

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.

Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

Diane R. Gehart