SYSTEMS APPROACH THERAPEUTIC MODEL

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Therapeutic Model #5, Systems Approach
Systems theory, the systemic therapeutic approach, a less-traditional approach to
helping family systems, considers the circular ways that family problems and issues are
interrelated and treats the family system rather than a single individual (though an individual
may be the focus of treatment to shift the greater family dynamic). This therapeutic approach
is based in concepts from diverse fields that include social sciences, such as psychology,
psychiatry, and medicine, as well as biology, physics and math (Kottler and Montgomery).
A systemic approach to psychology and therapeutic intervention is based in Von
Bertanlanffy's idea that the behavior of any single individual is affected by the actions of
others within that system (Kottler and Montgomery). So, as in a Gestalt approach to
psychotherapeutic intervention, the systems approach to transformation considers that the
interrelationship of the whole of a family system is greater than the sum of the parts or the
individual who appears to be the problem (Kottler and Montgomery). The idea is that, in a
therapeutic situation, guided by a knowledgeable and capable therapist, powerful corrective
adjustments may be made to positively transform a family system (Kottler and Montgomery).
Principles of this theory include: 1) the concept of circular causality, so issues in
families are interrelated and not one person's problem, and 2) that each family has rules of
relationship, which may be explicit or subtle, as well as helpful or harmful. These rules
inform the power distribution in the family (Kottler and Montgomery). Other considerations,
within this theory, are family mythology and history, hierarchy, roles, and alliances between

CN AT 542-2 COUNSELING THEORY AND PRACTICE, BRIAN SERNA, M.A., LPCC, LADAC

THERAPEUTIC MODEL #5, SYSTEMS APPROACH

family members (or coalitions) (Kottler and Montgomery). Due to the complexity of

ascertaining the dynamics of a family, first and subsequent family therapy sessions can be
quite challenging; families in therapy may be volatile, and difficult to manage, so assessing
complex family dynamics is made all the more challenging (Kottler and Montgomery).
Historically there have been numerous approaches, by various leaders in the field, to
systemic therapy (Kottler and Montgomery). Murray Bowen, Nathan Ackerman, and James
Framo had a psychoanalytic approach which strongly considered family history (Kottler and
Montgomery). Carl Whitaker and Virginia Satir had a humanistic approach focused on the
now and emphasizing the relationship between the therapist and the family (the therapist
joins the family, to a certain degree, then makes reparative intervention from within the
family system) (Kottler and Montgomery). A structural systemic approach, developed by
Salvador Minuchin, perceives the problem as being maintained by their life and family
system; the idea is that, with restructuring, the family will function differently (Kottler and
Montgomery). A structural approach considers how a family may be enmeshed or
disengaged, and this work has proven useful with families dealing with eating disorders or
those who are poor, marginalized, or otherwise have a hard time accessing mainstream
psychotherapy (Kottler and Montgomery). A strategic systems approach, also a powerful
brief therapy, developed by Jay Haley and Clo Madanes, focuses upon interactional and
communication styles in families, and how they may be changed for the better (Kottler and
Montgomery). Multicultural systems approaches are sensitive to societal impact, and cultural
background, upon a family and consider the influence of non-biological relationships which
are impacting the family system and the individuals in it (Kottler and Montgomery).
Other systemic approaches include constructivist theories which relate to how a

SYSTEMS APPROACH THERAPEUTIC MODEL

person's problems are related to the family narrative which evolved over time (Kottler and

Montgomery). Related to that, the progressive concept and practice of narrative therapy,
existential in that it has to do with finding personal meaning, feminist as it is concerned with
social dynamics that may contribute to the marginalization of people, and yet is also postmodern in its unique approach to the problems faced by clients (Kottler and Montgomery). In
narrative therapy the problem is externalized, reducing shame and guilt, while encouraging
the family system to join together to defeat the problem (Kottler and Montgomery).
Narrative therapy involves 1) externalizing conversations, 2) mapping the influence, 3)
unique outcome questions, 4) unique possibilities, and 5) restorying (Kottler and
Montgomery). Aspects of narrative therapy echo elements of family coaching.
Systemic approaches, whatever their specific lens, include (Kottler and Montgomery):
1)

Problems should be understood in the context of their family systems...

2)

Change in any one part of the system will affect others who are interconnected.

3)

Generally it is more efficient to involve all family members...

4)

All therapy is family therapy, because changes in one person affect the system.

5)

Each family will progress through predictable stages...

6)

Family of origin past approaches to discipline, communication, decision-

making, and family rituals, are all affecting the family now.
7)

Families organize to maintain stability.

8)

Family systems exist in cultural and other contexts which requires negotiation.

Major challenges for practitioners of family therapy include the difficulties in keeping a
CN AT 542-2 COUNSELING THEORY AND PRACTICE, BRIAN SERNA, M.A., LPCC, LADAC

THERAPEUTIC MODEL #5, SYSTEMS APPROACH

meta-view and effectively working with a complex, dynamic, and possibly volatile and

expressive, family system. Individuals will likely want the therapist to take sides; it is vital that
the therapist remain professional, objective and fair, and help the family to understand the
dynamics of co-creating a problem (rather than focusing negatively on a member of the family
system). A therapist must be directive and tune into and track the multiple persons, their
individual agendas, verbal and nonverbal communication, and be able to join the family
(Kottler and Montgomery). Success in a systemic approach requires that the therapist
reorient, structurally realign, and intervene in a family; this task is not for the therapist who is
faint of heart (Kottler and Montgomery). Done effectively, a systems approach is a powerful
tool and approach to correct issues in and benefit the lives of individuals and family units.

SYSTEMS APPROACH THERAPEUTIC MODEL

References
Kottler, J. and Montgomery, M. (2011). Theories of Counseling and Therapy: An Experiential
Approach, 2nd Ed., Sage Publications.
Barstow, Donna (2012). When Dysfunctional Families Go out to Eat [Cartoon]. Retrieved
http://donnabarstow.com/restaurant-cartoons/maybe-this-family-is-libertarian/

CN AT 542-2 COUNSELING THEORY AND PRACTICE, BRIAN SERNA, M.A., LPCC, LADAC