Structural Family Therapy

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at structural family therapy (SFT) in its original form as well as in a form that is presently being used and has been effectively used specifically in SFT initiatives in families that are working with the issue of acculturation. The studies of Salvador Minuchin and Jay Haley are focused upon and the work of Thomas C.Todd (2006) is also taken into consideration. It also explores how SFT might effectively be applied by a minister of a neighborhood organization and how the Christian principles might be effectively and successfully applied in SFT therapy.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction to SFT
SFT - The Focus
The Goals of SFT
Differentiation in Various Theories
The Strategic Based (SFT) Intervention
Skills Necessary for SFT Therapy
Discussion
Integration of FST, Pact and Christian Principles
Pact: Key Features
Structural Approach Used in Therapy

From the Paper:

"The resolution of conflicts is another area that must be in focus in the SFT therapy. There are various existing patterns in the way that individuals in the family deal with or use to avoid conflicts. Some of those are "detouring, attacking (also known as scapegoating)" (Todd, 2006) in which a union is formed against another family member who is labeled as 'bad' receiving the blame in full. Further there are the relationships that are described as "detouring, protecting" (Todd, 2006) in which two of the parties in conflict join to assist or help another in the family who had been labeled as defenseless, sick, and helpless and is a pattern noted in families that are psychosomatic and in families that have children who are known to be psychotic. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Robbins, Michael S. and Szapocznik, Jose (2000) Brief Strategic Family Therapy - Office of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Juvenile Justice Bulletin April 2000. Online available at: [(http://64.233.179.104/se arch?q=ca che:dGX7ArMmkV4J:www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/179285.pdf+s tructural+approach+to+family+counseling&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=30.]
• Doerries, D. and Foster, V. (2005) Essential Skills for Novice Structural Family Therapists: A Delphi Study of Experienced Practitioners' Perspectives The Family Journal, Vol. 13, No. 3, 259-265 (2005) DOI: 10.1177/1066480704273639 2005 SAGE Publications. [http://tfj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/3/259]
• Todd, Thomas C. Ph.D. (2006) Primer of Structural Family Therapy - Adler School of Professional Psychology.
• Salvador Minuchin: Founder of Structural Family Therapy: Counseling Families from a Systems Perspective. Highlights: An ERIC/CAPS Digest: Online available at: [http://www.thememoryhole.o rg/ edu/eric/ed304634.html.]
• Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy: (nd) Online available at: [http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:0GL04oRkzzkJ:homepages.wmich.edu/~macdonal/SW%25206680.05/family%2520sytems%2520therapy.ppt+structural+approach+to+family+counseling&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=17.]

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• Term Paper # 47449 : "Components of Structural Family Therapy"

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