Family systems therapy is a therapeutic technique that thinks about the family as a single, emotional unit. Each action and family member affects the others. Family systems therapy focuses on families and couples in intimate relationships with a goal of nurturing change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of interaction between family members. It emphasizes family relationships as an important factor in psychological health. A professional trained in this technique will work on understanding the relationships within a family, and create a family history that will be the foundation for how current behaviors are viewed. No individual can be understood in isolation from the others in the familial unit. Issues shared among family members, such as substance abuse, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia are good candidates for a family systems approach. Think this approach might work for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s family systems specialists today.
I graduated with distinction from my Master's program in the study of family systems. Where traditional psychology looks inward towards the individual, family systems says the individual cannot be known until we know what systems they belong to. These systems start with the family, but also expand into community, state, country, and all manner of cultural systems. Exploring through a systems lens can often help an individual understand their identity in a stronger way.
— Timothy Rasmussen, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Intern in Seattle, WAAs a marriage and family therapist my primary training and expertise is in family systems and working with relationship dynamics.
— Alana Ogilvie, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, ORUnderstanding family patterns can help us understand how we got to where we are today. Along with attachment theory, I use family systems to help clients build a picture of their past so they understand who they are in their relationships today, and can make choices about how they want to grow in relation to themselves and others.
— Brandie Sellers, Licensed Professional Counselor in Timnath, COEverybody had or has some form of family, whether you born into it, choose it, or found yourself in a situation with others that essentially represented a family. I use the Systems approach to change the perception of who you are and why you do the things you do by looking at how you were shaped and influenced by the people in your lives as you developed. We were all set up to think and believe and act the ways that we do because of those around us as we developed.
— Gallio Marzano, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in , WAMy deep understanding of the family systems approach is born from comprehensive training and rich experience. I've explored intricate family dynamics and the profound impact of communication patterns. I guide individuals in grasping how familial interactions mold their lives. My nurturing focus lies in fostering insights into these dynamics, empowering clients to cultivate improved relationships and communication.
— Saba Montazerian, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Newport Beach, CAWe all view the world through a certain lens. How we were raised in our family of origin affects how we view ourselves and others around us. It affects how we show up in the world and we interrupt our world. When we are aware of how the environment we grew up in affects us we can learn to grow from the ways we are living that are harmful to us or that are detrimental to our growth and fulfillment.
— Jessica Kremm, Licensed Professional Counselor in Hillsboro, ORFamily systems training and perspective is a core part of my training as an MFT- in graduate school, I completed 60+ credits, primarily focused on family/couples therapy.
— Elizabeth Hinkle, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Virginia Beach, VAClaudia was trained at the Ackerman Institute for the Family with a specialization in family systems theory. Claudia's approach to family therapy begins with a look at intergenerational patterns, and includes her expertise in trauma recovery.
— Claudia Narvaez-Meza, Psychotherapist in Los Angeles, CAWe explore the patterns and structures present within the family that impact relational patterns that can lead to individual behavioral and emotional struggles, as well as communication challenges. We work to build healthier patterns of interaction, and reinforce healthy structure within the family to improve the function of both the individuals and family as a whole.
— Wendy Youngsmith, Counselor in Centennial, COTaking a look at generational patterns that have been passed down. Understanding a client's family of origin is extremely helpful in understanding the client on a deeper level.
— Marcey Heschel, Licensed Professional Counselor in Cypress, TXAs a systems based therapist I see clients from an ecological perspective. Individuals are seen as part of a system of interactions and relations to others in their environment, rather than individuals being autonomous entities independent of their surroundings and context. By addressing breakdowns within a system and the relations and communications within its contextual setting, problems can be addressed in a greater holistic manner.
— Dan Schmitt, Licensed Professional Counselor in Eugene, ORGeneral systems theory emphasizes that a group, family, or even individual cannot be wholly explained by looking at just one part or one angle of influence. We are not simply a combination of our circumstances, the same way that it is limiting to consider a single perspective. Yams is trained in considering the intersection of identities, communities, and overall society on the issues that arise in therapy and helping you navigate that web.
— Kameryn "Yams" Rose, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , CANo matter where we come from, all family systems are complex. Our original families play a big part in our current families. Or maybe we are having a hard time creating the partnership or family we want now because of what we have been through in life. Exploring the historical components that impact our relationships is key to increasing our healthy functioning.
— Tracy Bryce Farmer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Portland, ORI trained in family systems (structural family systems) in my experience working with children and families and was part of the training program at CHA/Harvard Postdoctoral Fellowship. I use my experience with family system approaches to support clients to change and improve their relationships (with their spouse, family, friends), improve their parenting skills and make changes in other relationships such as with their medical team or colleagues at work.
— Amelia Swanson, Clinical Psychologist in Chicago, ILSystems Theory is not necessarily about doing therapy with an entire family (who has time for that?). A look at your family system is like seeing the inner workings of a clock. We have much more information about how and why you are the cog shaped the way you are shaped, when we look at the functioning of the entire clock. What's magical is, by changing how you are shaped, or how you behave, you can't help but affect the shape (behavior) of all the cogs in your family, workplace or community!
— Kathryn Gates, Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TXWhether it’s the family you grew up in, the family you created, or the family you chose - belonging is a critical survival experience for all humans. Understanding the role we play in our families and how we experience acceptance in community greatly enhances our wellbeing. This isn’t your pop psychology “have boundaries” type of approach. I take into account how our interrelationships define personality, preference, and perspective.
— Rachel Ruiz, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Folsom, CAI consider various systems that each person experiences in order to see the bigger picture. Each person is influenced by their family, community, school, location, etc. We are all affected by the world around us, and often our family systems are templates we use for other relationships.
— Coriann Papazian, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA