Compare and Contrast Two Family Therapy Theories, Essay Example

In the advent of family problems that become too challenging that families begin to seek outside help, they turn to family therapy. It is a conducive function that families try and find the right therapy method and therapist that will listen to their problems and concerns, and also apply the right solution. In family therapy, there are several approaches and theories that can help in different family settings. Therapists try and analyze the scope of the problems within each family unit, as they know that two families are not alike. Looking at the family units of the movie, Parenthood, it is clear that each family member seems to be going through their own stressors, as they try go through the family cycle. However, some families are more problematic and must try to seek out therapy in order to find solutions in helping their family cope, deal, or sort out their problems. This paper will identify two favorable family therapy theories and compare and contrast their concepts, as they relate to the family system of Frank, Gil, and Larry.

When dealing with family stressors and problems, one of the biggest therapy methods are the Bowens Family System’s theory in practice. Bowen’s group therapy is one of the earliest comprehensive theories and continues to be a primary theory used throughout the United States (Brown, 2004). In 1959, Bowen moved from the individual to the family system through multi-generations. Bowen inspired operating with aspects of generations and intergenerational aspects of the subsystem. The construct of the Bowenian theory holds that individuals are conceptualized because the outcome of a revolution; within the family system, it moves forward to a dimension of differentiation through multigenerational transmission of every generation (Brown, 2004). Bowens’ theorizes every common method to attribute and with each serial generation a downward range of events that can happen till all familial dysfunction, emotional connections, and limits that have taken place are effectively terminated, that specializes on a change from within (Brown 2004). In keeping with Bowen’s theory it outlines eight interconnecting ideas to include: 1) Emotional fusion and differentiation of self, 2) Triangles 3) relatives Emotional system 4) Family projection method 5) Emotional cutoff 6) Multigenerational transmission method 7) relative positions and 8) social emotional method (Brown, 2004, p. 95-97). The ideas of the Narrative Therapy focus on separating the person from the matter. The theory seeks to encourage others to spot and depend upon their own skills to attenuate problems in their life (Shapiro, Ross, 2002).

Looking at the types of intervention, Bowen views 3 broad stages of the therapy. 1. Stage one focuses on scaling back the clients’ anxiety concerning the symptom by encouraging them to be comprehend how the symptom is an element of their pattern of relating (Brown 2004). 2. The second stage aims for clients to focus on their inner issues, as to increase their various levels of differentiation. The clients are helped to resist the pull of what Bowen termed the ‘togetherness force’ within unit. Within the latter phases of therapy, clients in the family that take on the adult role, are coached in differentiating themselves from the role in their family, and the belief being that gains in differentiation can mechanically flow over into shriveled anxiety and larger self-responsibility among the relatives system (Brown, 2004, p. 101). The narrative theory approach permits the client the liberty to tell their story then, they are able to rewrite the story during a lot of positive, healthy means.

The goal of Bowen’ theory is to review organic process patterns among the familial system and therefore, the stress focused around the anxiety caused by closeness or the shortage therefrom (Brown 2004). Bowen’s theory works to facilitate a decline in stress and anxiety by sanctioning the clients with education on however, the emotional system works. The theory specializes in the way to modify self-perceptional behaviors rather than operating to vary others among the system (Brown 2004). The goal of narrative theory is to vary the impact that the matter or issue has on one’s life (Shapiro, Ross, 2002). Therefore, ever-changing the individual. The individual narrates their account because the practitioner strives to help the client in distinguishing with their expertise, and to handle issues in their life, once a social, political and/or cultural life-style. (Shapiro, Ross, 2002). The interventions, another characteristic feature of Bowen’s model are its validity in operating with one individual. The term ‘coaching’ pertains to the work of the expert giving input and support for adult clients who try to develop larger differentiation in their roles of their family. Clients ought to feel guilty of their own amendment efforts, with the expert acting as an adviser. Like Bowen’s theory, narrative theory encourages the client to be aware of changes that happen in their life. Bowen thought that an individual’s efforts to be a lot of differentiated would be a lot of productive once the main focus shifted far away from the intensity of the relatives to the previous generation. (Brown 2004) The stress is on autonomous efforts to detriangle from family of origin patterns. A person’s efforts will modify a triangle that successively ripples through to vary within the whole relations.

Narrative theory additionally seeks individual amendment so as to learn the familial system Bowen delineated ‘coaching’ as ‘family psychotherapy with one family. This theory takes on the flavor of teaching, as clients study the predictable patterns of triangles (Brown 2004). The expert supports their efforts in returning to their families to watch and study these patterns. Throughout family’s work, clients use letters, phone calls, visits and analysis concerning previous generations to achieve a general perspective on their family’s emotional processes and a way of their own inheritance of those patterns. The expert prepares clients for the anxiety they are going to come across if they move from their habitual roles in their families.  When these happened it can inevitably disturb the certain balance of family patterns and thus heighten anxiety and resistance (Brown, 2004, p. 99). Amendment is viewed as a 3 step method where:

1. one takes a brand new position,
2. relations react and
3. the new stance is maintained within the face of pressure to revert to the first position (Brown, 2004, p. 99).

Bowen stressed that it is what happens in step ‘c’ that fundamentally determines whether or not amendment happens. In Narrative theory, one strategic methodology is that the collective narrative. Collective narrative documents richly describes the unique skills, and data of however, people, groups, and communities are sustained through troublesome times. Once created, these documents will then be shared between teams in ways in which alter those that have endured hardship to expertise creating a true contribution to others. This method is currently being employed by therapists and community staff during a wide-range of contexts (Freidman and Combs, 1996). Kind a narrative approach the expert might invite a disciple, somebody with whom the professional has consulted, or a former client has been through similar things because the client so as to pay attention to the consultation. Once session the witness provides feedback to the professional on what stood out the foremost to him/her throughout session. This lets the client grasp they are not alone within their scenario, and somebody else has been in the same/similar things. From a narrative approach Gil, Larry and  Frank is also suggested that contemplating their life, and what life mean’s to them or for Larry and Frank to face the seriousness of their problems they will be suggested to form a legal document.

Like Bowen’s theory, Narrative theory supports sanctioning the client toward positive communication. In narrative theory, the practitioner guides the client through medical care by serving to them to separate themselves from the matter. Whereas in Bowen’s theory the client sees the matter in a trial to spot with it through viewing their role because it pertains to the matter. So as for the practitioner to stay on course, the family system should apply Bowen’s techniques as a central a part of the family system (Brown 2004). In each theories, the expert is active in leading the therapeutic spoken communication. In Narrative theory, the client is to externalize the matter so as to use alternative skills, skills to contend with their issues. Whereas in Bowen’s theory Enactments are halted thus on forestall the increase of clients’ anxiety (Brown 2004). Clients are asked to speak on to the expert so alternative relations will “listen and ‘really hear’ while not reacting showing emotion, for the primary time in their lives together (Bowen, 1978, pg. 248). In each Bowen’s theory and in narrative theory the role of the therapist is to assist the client to contend with sensitive problems (Shapiro, Ross, 2002).

Bowen’s model of therapy is maybe most distinctive for its depth of analysis on the far side symptoms within the gift (and past) whereas Narrative therapy focus entirely on past issues. Bowen’s model specializes in emotional processes over the generations and on individuals’ differentiation among their general context. It offers family therapists a multi-level read that has sometimes been reserved for psychodynamic therapies. Narrative theory seeks to spot experiences during a healthy manner that is helpful to any or all within the familial system as will Bowen’s theory, on multiple levels. Variety of Brownian therapists acknowledged that the broader focus of Bowen’s model are often a disadvantage therein many consumers wish solely to handle symptom relief within the relatives (Brown, 2004, p 101). For the Bowenian expert, symptom reduction is seen solely because the ground work from that families will proceed less uneasily towards acting on detriangling and improved levels of differentiation. Herein lays a transparent danger of discrepancies in client and expert goals (Brown, 2004, p 101). In each theories, the clients will have to address the problems in their life that exists. With narrative therapy, it is through editing the negative story into a positive, and with Bowen’s theory it is through differentiation and reduce in the client’s anxiety/stressors.

Narrative therapy has been criticized as holding to a social constructionist belief that there are not any absolute truths, however, solely socially sanctioned points of read, which Narrative therapists thus privilege their client’s issues over and higher than “dominating” cultural narratives (Narrative Therapy, 2013 ) many critics have display issues that Narrative theory has created gurus of its leaders, notably within the lightweight that it is leading proponents tend to be to a fault harsh concerning most other forms of medical care. Others have criticized narrative Theory for failing to acknowledge that the individual Narrative expert might bring personal opinions and biases into the medical care session (Narrative Theory, 2013) Narrative approach  is additionally criticized for the shortage of clinical and empirical studies to validate its several claims. Etchison and Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist (2000) state that Narrative Therapy’s specialize in qualitative outcomes is not congruent with larger quantitative analysis and findings that the bulk of revered empirical studies used nowadays. This has crystal rectifier to scarcity of analysis material, which may support its claims of effectualness (Narrative Therapy 2013)

The beginning sessions in Bowenian medical care specialize in a military operation so as to create concepts concerning the family’s emotional processes, which at the same time provides data to relations concerning the presenting drawback in its general context. The presenting drawback is caterpillar-tracked through the history of relatives and into the relations system (Brown 2004). A multigenerational genogram may be a useful gizmo for recording this data. The expert appearance for clues concerning the emotional method of the actual family, including patterns of regulation closeness and distance, however, anxiety is controlled within the system, what triangles get activated, the degree of adaptively to changes and nerve-racking events, and any signs of emotional ‘cutoff’ (Brown, 2004, p.100). Data collected is acknowledged to be highly subjective, particularly once relations are discussed. However, stories concerning past generations are viewed as helpful clues to the roles individuals occupy in triangles, and therefore, the tensions that stay unresolved from their families of origin. If for instance, a member of the relations is delineated as ‘the rebel’, the expert explores what events gave rise to the present label. It incorporates who takes on this personification in previous generations, and the way triangles fashioned around family crises involving ‘rebellion’. Calming family members’ anxiety within the early stages of medical care may involve serving to them to create connections between the event of symptoms and potent themes during a family’s history.

Another aim that will help in family therapy is to loosen the central triangle that has fashioned around, and maintains, the presenting drawback. Teaching clients concerning systems ideas as they operate in their circle of relatives is an element of medical care at this stage. This does not mean trying to persuade individuals to try to things otherwise however, to encourage relations to envision on the far side their biases, so it is potential for them to contemplate every person’s half within the family patterns (Brown, 2004, p.100). Once applied to the case of Frank, Gil and Larry, the speculation would take into thought the presenting drawback of every of clients through gathering data. This is to work out familial habits, patterns and cultural norms among the family via usage of a genogram in assessing matters and to develop strategic interventions (Caracciola, Grazer, 1989). The expert would then take a synthesis of the genogram so as to peel every layer of the familial dysfunction to help every member one by one on their role and the way they will modify or enhance their life as they operate among the system (Brown 2004). First, to claim the family; Bowen would check up on every individual and the way they contribute to the system; so as to scale back anxiety. Frank’s problems with feeling sort of a defaulter dad/alcoholism, Gil’s level of self-effectualness and Larry’s gambling problems are going to be reviewed one by one rather than permitting every in charge shift the familial problems onto one another. The speculation permits the family to specialize in the Frank’s emotional problems, inflicting him to drink heavily (McGoldrick et al 2010).  Secondly, relatives problems are going to be thought of so as to find the presenting issue in relevancy the broader sense of the family the Clinicians can problems among the nucleus family. Frank is not near his mother, nor will he spend time with Marilyn. The professional can track relations Response to Frank’s drinking habits (McGoldrick et al, 2010).

The practitioner can obtain to tug out repetitive patterns within the current family as a nexus to gift stress within the system. The professional can check up on Frank’s mother and Father as how to assist the oldsters separate this unresolved family of origin problems from their interactions with ensuing generations (Brown 2004). In narrative approach, the family is going to be advised to narrate their story as everybody sees it. The therapist can then explore for the “real” presenting downside for every person on an individual basis, so as to help with the reduction of the narrative. Rather than Gill having lived while, not a task model, he succeeded in creating an honest living for his family and fathering good children whom he is there to help in any and every one circumstances. Journaling is often a narrative therapeutic approach in concert achieves tier of catharsis and energy by that to rewrite the negative aspects of the bottom plot line through assessing and crucial the impact that the negative parts wear their life once the review of every written story (Shapiro, Ross, 2002). In narrative theory, definitional ceremonies are once a consumer tells their life stories before others. Clients might solicit audience’s responses to the story. This brings the consumer to tier of self-awareness (Shapiro, Ross, 2002).

The Bowen theory would hold that multigenerational transmission was created at intervals the system as Frank, feeling unworthy to parent thanks to his own lack of self-affectivity has passed this all the way down to his sons, Larry and Gil. Larry runs aloof from life and thrusts himself into significant gambling, whereas Gil needs to relish life to its fullest, along with his children. However, he struggles with levels of his own self affectivity and conceptualizations of his own inability to parent.  Bowen would hold that the relative position of each Larry, and Gil are rife. As Gil, being the older relative takes responsibility for his actions. Whereas Larry permits others to modify him to the purpose he makes excuses for himself and/or is bimanual excuses because it seems, this is often an unspoken family rule (McGoldrick et al 2010). Consistent with Rabstejnik within the article, “Family Systems and Murray Bowen theory”, Bowen thought of differentiation and triangles the crux of his theory. He explained differentiation first and so triangles. Triangles take precedence as a result of they are the idea of a multi-person theory. Differentiation, mentioned next, is additionally used as a basic conception in individual science and was traditionally treated with one-on-one psychotherapy. Bowen deliberately used the word triangle instead of triad to imply his specific means, and to avoid confusion with different triangulation ideas.

Thomas Fogarty (1976), a partner of Bowen, maintained that each one individuals looks for closeness, which to take care of that closeness and still handle anxiety they triangle. The Narrative theory would report that the family has had several layers of dysfunction, at intervals its cultural plot line that has to be rewritten for its verbalizer. Frank’s story are often rewritten to stipulate his adequacies and also the positive things that he did in life. He raised his children and remained married to Marilyn even within the face of self-doubt and convictions. Gil’s story is going to be rewritten to stipulate his unconditional love for family and his bravery throughout the time of significant making an attempt. Coping with info regarding Kevin’s disorder, unnoted for promotion, and dealing with his wife becoming pregnant again. Larry is rewriting his story concerning Cool and his ability to examine the cost in adopting a toddler who was less lucky than himself. Every member wants a brand new perspective of self, so as to set up individual change to import reconciling changes in an exceptionally healthy manner that may be useful to any, or all family members at intervals of the core system (Shapiro, Ross, 2002).

Consequently, every model fits  concerning the Bowenian theory; detriangaling can work well with the Buckham family desires because the system as every member of the system Frank, Gil and Larry can learn online they need spun in triangling other’s into their web and contrariwise (Brown 2004). The clients are aided in distinguishing such triangles and so ways in which of communication are shaped so every will develop increased communication with others. The goal is to help every individual within the system to find the simplest way to effectively communicate with different relations within the face of their anxiety. Meaning, reversing one’s customary reactions, not speaking regarding another friend negatively or behind their back (Brown 2004). One member might encourage speaking directly with the conflicting parties or favor to switch subjects once speaking regarding the negative problems. Regarding the narrative theory; the strategy of externalizing is applied to beliefs, behaviors. Once the consumer provides the baseline of the story, the practitioner works with the consumer to rewrite the negative history and look at things from a brand new perspective so as to change cognitions to market an increased means of staring at life, relationships and cultural storylines. Both of these approaches can be used in helping the Buckham family, they have a lot of issues that are seen throughout the film. Each family unit is experiencing their own family problems that deal with development, life cycle stage, and issues that could be corrected by family therapy.

References

Brown, J. (2004). Bowen Family Systems Theory and Practice: Illustration and Critique. A.N.Z.J. Fam. Ther, 20:2, 94-103. Retrieved from http://www.anzjft.com/pages/articles/78.pdf

Caracciola, J.M., Grazer.  (1989). Parenthood. United States: Universal Studios

Epston, D. (2004). From empathy to ethnography: the origin of therapeutic co-research. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 2, 29-36. Retrieved from http://dulwichcentre.com.au/narrative-therapy-and-research.pdf

Freedman, J., Combs, G. (2013). Narrative therapy: The social Construction of Preferred Realities. New York: Norton.

McGoldrick, M., Carter, B., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2011).  The expanded family life cycle:  Individual, family, and social perspectives (4th ed.).  Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Rabstejnik, C. V. (n.d.). Family systems and Murray Bowen Theory. Human and Organizational Understanding and Development, 1-10. Retrieved from http://www.houd.info/bowenTheory.pdf

Shapiro, J., Ross, V. (2002). Applications of Narrative Theory and Therapy to the Practice of Family Medicine. Family Medicine, 34:2, 96-100. Retrieved from http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2002/feb02/sa.pdf