Foundations
This theory views problems as patterns of interaction rather than individual pathology
What is Systems Theory?
This theory focuses on intergenerational patterns and emotional systems
What is the Bowen Theory?
This theory focuses on hierarchy, boundaries, and family organization
What is Structural Theory ?
This theory focuses on emotional expression and authenticity
Experiential Therapy
A therapist focuses on patterns between family members instead of blaming one person
What is Family Systems
This concept explains that behavior is influenced by mutual interactions rather than a single cause
What is Circular Causality
The ability to separate thinking from emotional reactivity
This theory focuses on changing behavior through tasks and directives
What is Strategic Therapy
This theory focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences
Psychoanalytic Family Therapy
A therapist explores how a child’s behavior is connected to parental conflict
Systems / Structural
This type of question explores how one family member’s behavior affects another
What are Circular Questions?
When two people bring in a third person to stabilize tension
What is a Triangle?
A therapist asks a family to act out a conflict in session
What is enactment
Encouraging clients to express feelings openly in session is an example of
Experiential Intervention
A therapist helps a client recognize emotional reactivity and respond more calmly
Bowen
This concept refers to systems maintaining stability even when dysfunction exists
What is homeostasis?
This concept refers to how anxiety spreads across family members
What is Emotional system/emotional process
This concept refers to invisible rules that define roles and power in a family
What is Family Structure
Exploring how past relationships influence current behavior is an example of
Psychoanalytic Interpretation
A therapist changes seating in session to shift power dynamics
Structural
In systems thinking, this describes repeated interaction patterns that reinforce behavior
What are feedback loops
A therapist asks calm, reflective questions to reduce emotional reactivity. This is called?
What are Process Questions?
A therapist assigns homework to deliberately shift family interaction patterns
What is a Directive?
A client is emotionally numb; the therapist focuses on helping them access feeling
Experiential Approach
A teen becomes aggressive when their parents argue. The therapist assigns the parents a task to change how they respond at home.
Theory: Strategic
Why: focuses on changing interaction patterns through tasks
Intervention: Directive