This week, we will continue our discussion on theory-based family therapy by reviewing the following:
- Multigenerational or extended family therapy (Murray Bowen)
- Human validation process model (Virginia Satir)
- Psychodynamic family therapy (Nathan Ackerman)
Multigenerational family therapy's main objective is to reduce the transmission of a family's dysfunctional emotional system through several generations. Bowen's theory focuses on balancing a family's sense of togetherness with the need for each member to attain a level of individuality. Bowen used the concept of differentiation to refer to a person's ability to separate their intellectual and emotional functioning. Family members with low levels of differentiation are more likely to become "fused" with emotions that dominate the family. The term "undifferentiated family ego mass" describes a family whose members are highly emotionally fused. Highly fused families tend to form emotional triangles to maintain family stability and decrease anxiety.
Introduced by Virginia Satir, the human validation process model emphasizes communication and emotional experience. Empathetic listening and therapeutic presence are hallmarks of the human validation process. Satir believed that there were four communication stances people took when under stress, including:(1) irrelevant, which uses distraction to avoid emotionally laden discussions, (2) super reasonable, which uses a non-emotional tone, (3) blaming, which involves "fault-finding" with others to avoid focusing on themselves; and (4) placating, which is accepting the blame to protect another family member.
Psychodynamic family therapy (Nathan Ackerman) views individual functioning as the reflection of constant interactions between the individual, their family, and society. Ackerman used the term “role complementarity” when referring to mutual support, dependence, and intimacy among family members. Ackerman focused on the intra-and inter-psychic conflicts of family members.
Test your knowledge of these concepts with practice test questions found in the Triad counseling study group!