What Are Family Systems Theories - Essay Example

Psychologists and psychiatrists nowadays pay great attention to solving family problems. Psychologists have been adopting a method in their counseling therapy called "Family Systems Theory". "[It] works with families and couples to nurture change and development," (Wikipedia1). This theory perceives the family as an independent and interdependent system. Therefore, this theory focuses on fixing any present damages between the parts of the family. In other words, the Family Systems Theory aims at repairing the relationships between family members to end any stressful situations and solve any existing problems. There are several techniques that the therapist uses to reach his prime target. However, the principal step is family meetings. "This offers the opportunity to discuss specific, practical issues and provides a safe space to talk about feelings that surround [the family] and long-term planning," (CareSupportofAmerica1).
The therapist meets with the family together trying to listen to their points of view. This step is considered to be extremely beneficial because the psychologist gets a fair chance of viewing the way each member of the family interacts with the other. Moreover, everyone gains an opportunity of knowing the other person's point of view, which can be a successful way of resolving a lot of current misunderstandings (Wikipedia1). The counselor within his sessions tries to point out and explain to the whole family different methods of dealing with problems and certain situations than the ones they have been adopting or using (Wikipedia1). In other words, the psychotherapist trains the family members on how to alter their responses towards each other in certain situations to change their behaviors and thus prevent future conflicts.

The family systems theory is used by psychologists all over the world. However, our main focus would be the families in the United States. "Families in the United States are experiencing significant stress and functional discourse marked by unparalleled changes in family structures. The home environment for many young people represents a place of instability and emotional upheaval where security, caring, and nurturing are depleted or nonexistent," (Gilchrist1).

The abnormality in the family structure like divorce, having a single parent, or the death of a family member for instance can cause severe psychological problems. This is because emotions like love, care, and security will abolish within the family as our main system, and thus, the damage will occur. Depression is one of the inevitable results of any psychological disturbances, "and its impact on American college students is indisputable,"(Gilchrist2). This is because depression causes a lack of concentration, lack of interest, loss of appetite, feelings of worthlessness, lack of motivation, death thoughts or suicidal thoughts, and many other negative thoughts which consequently hinder studying and succeeding. Therefore, "it is imperative that schools recognize the existence and impact of family discourse and childhood trauma on students, and provide them with the support necessary to enable them to cope with their situations and succeed within the collegiate environment," (Gilchrist1). The Family Systems Theory is the most effective method used by therapists in these situations. It resolves the problem by focusing on the main cause, which is the family. Through this theory, the psychologist recognizes that depression and its other symptoms are only a logical result, not a cause.

Special issues involved with counseling persons who have drug abuse problems:-
Unfortunately, some psychological problems can easily lead a person to suffer from additional psychological or mental illnesses. For example, a person who is experiencing depression can easily be addicted to drugs or alcohol. This is because drugs like heroin, cocaine, and others alleviate the mood and help the depressed individual to feel better and happier. However, most of them are very addictive because they change the chemistry of the brain and thus, the brain can not normally function without the drug as before. On the other hand, drug abusers who are suffering from addiction most probably experience depression (NMHA1) due to their way of living. Therefore, it is a vicious circle. Drug abuse can easily lead to depression and depression can lead to drug abuse. Nevertheless, therapists who are dealing with addicts mention that "behavioral changes and consequences of drug abuse may include changes in overall personality, depression, declining grades, loss of interest in family and friends, over-sensitivity, moodiness, nervousness, paranoia, secretive or suspicious behavior, and excessive talkativeness. Often people also experience difficulty in paying attention, and a general lack of motivation and energy, sometimes characterized by a “who cares” attitude," (NHMA1). It is an endless loop of serious and difficult illnesses and diseases. Read More