Minuchin's Structural Family Therapy

18 Questions

According to the text, what are the primary goals of structural family therapy?

To alleviate current symptoms and change the family structure

Which technique is used in the joining phase of structural family therapy?

Mimesis

What is the purpose of reframing in structural family therapy?

To view a problematic behavior in a more constructive way

According to Minuchin's structural family therapy, what are subsystems in a family's structure?

Smaller units of the entire family system that are responsible for carrying out specific tasks

What is the difference between boundaries that are overly diffuse and boundaries that are overly rigid in a family's structure?

Overly diffuse boundaries lead to enmeshed relationships, while overly rigid boundaries lead to disengaged relationships

What is an example of a rigid family triad in Minuchin's structural family therapy?

A stable coalition where one parent and a child form an inflexible alliance against the other parent

According to structural family therapy, maladaptive behaviors are primarily caused by

Dysfunctional family structure

What is the purpose of the joining phase in structural family therapy?

To establish a therapeutic alliance with the family

Which technique is used to alter hierarchical relationships in structural family therapy?

Unbalancing

Which of the following best describes the concept of subsystems in Minuchin's structural family therapy?

Smaller units of the entire family system responsible for specific tasks

What is the term used to describe boundaries that are overly diffuse and lead to enmeshed relationships in a family's structure?

Permeable boundaries

Which of the following is an example of a detouring-attack coalition in Minuchin's structural family therapy?

Parents avoid the conflict between them by blaming the child for their problems

Which of the following best describes the concept of boundaries in Minuchin's structural family therapy?

Implicit and explicit rules that determine the amount of contact that family members have with each other

What is the term used to describe boundaries that are overly rigid and lead to disengaged relationships in a family's structure?

Rigid boundaries

Which of the following is an example of a stable coalition in Minuchin's structural family therapy?

One parent and a child form an inflexible alliance against the other parent

Which of the following techniques is used to alter the degree of proximity between family members in structural family therapy?

Boundary making

What is the purpose of the evaluating phase in structural family therapy?

To make a structural diagnosis and identify appropriate interventions

Which of the following is NOT a technique used in the joining phase of structural family therapy?

Enactment

Study Notes

Goals of Structural Family Therapy

Primary goals: to identify and challenge maladaptive interactions within the family system, and to reorganize the family structure to promote adaptive interactions.

Joining Phase

Technique used: building a therapeutic relationship with the family to establish trust and collect information about the family's structure and dynamics.
Purpose: to assess the family's organizational style, identify patterns and alliances, and establish a collaborative relationship.

Reframing

Purpose: to redefine and reorganize the family's perception of a situation, leading to a more positive and adaptive interaction pattern.

Subsystems

Definition: smaller groups within the family system, such as the parental subsystem or the sibling subsystem.
Function: to provide a sense of belonging and support, and to promote individual growth and development.

Boundaries

Overly diffuse boundaries: lead to enmeshed relationships, where family members are overly involved in each other's lives.
Overly rigid boundaries: lead to disengaged relationships, where family members are disconnected from each other.
Healthy boundaries: allow for autonomy and connection between family members.

Rigid Family Triad

Example: a parent-teenager conflict where the teenager is aligned with the other parent against the first parent.

Maladaptive Behaviors

Caused primarily by: maladaptive interactions and alliances within the family system.

Altering Hierarchical Relationships

Technique used: restructuring, which changes the power dynamics and decision-making processes within the family.

Subsystems and Boundaries

Subsystems are maintained by boundaries, which regulate interactions between family members.
Boundaries can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on their rigidity or diffuseness.

Coalitions

Detouring-attack coalition: when a family member attacks another member to divert attention from their own issues.
Stable coalition: when family members work together to maintain a balance of power.

Techniques

Uses tracking and mimesis to alter the degree of proximity between family members.
Uses enacting to alter hierarchical relationships.

Evaluating Phase

Purpose: to identify and clarify the problem, and to establish a therapeutic contract with the family.

Test your knowledge of Minuchin's structural family therapy and its key concepts such as family structure, subsystems, and boundaries. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how symptoms in a family member can be linked to the overall structure of the family system.

Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards

Convert your notes into interactive study material.