Family Systems Theory

      In Family Systems Theory the family operates as a system. The family focuses on the relationships in the family and 

are interconnected. It is common to see families label one family member as the “one with the problem”. Overall there are 

four types of theories (approaches) in Family Systems Theory. The first approach is the Satir Approach, the second one is  

Structural Therapy, the third one is Strategic Therapy, and the last one is Bowen's Family Systems Theory. The Satir  

Approach emphasizes the need for human love. There are five basic life stages: Conception to birth, birth to puberty,  

puberty  to adulthood, adulthood to senior status, and senior status to death. Structural Therapy mainly focused on  

boundaries within the family. There are four stages of development: couple formation, families with young 

children, families with school-aged or adolescent children, and families with grown children. The Strategic Therapy 

focuses on repetitive patterns of communication. There are 6 life stages in this theory: The courting period, early marriage, 

childbirth and dealing with the young, middle marriage, weaning parents from children, and retirement and old age.Lastly, 

the Bowen's Family Systems Theory focuses on differentiation and balancing the 2 natural forced of individuality and

togetherness. 

      As a future counselor, I can see myself using this theory on families but do not think I would actually use it frequently.

I enjoy the fact that this theory has many options and interventions to use. I would rather work with younger children and  

this theory could help understand a child's home life and where they enact unhealthy behaviors. I enjoyed learning about 

this theory but like I have said I do not think I would use it often. From a Christian persepective, it does have relevance 

support in relation to the Bible which is a postive for Christian counselors. But it is not biased to just the Christian 

background because it can be used for secular clients too. I think that is an important factor in counseling because not 

everyone is going to be a Christian counselor or have clients that are Christian, it is important to be flexible between the 

two.