Structural Family Therapy - Essay Example

Family systems are considered to be important issues in modern society as a family is regarded as the basic unity between the relations with people. It is relevant to mention that family interactions experienced a wide range of problems concerning its inner system and outer communications. The dimension of family problems is remained to be a field of investigation for psychologists. Family therapy is regarded as the principal treatment for the occurred problems in different families and their relationships. There are a huge number of approaches in this area.

The questions under investigation are remained to be structural family therapy and multigenerational family therapy. The similarities together with differences in the field of these approaches are presented in the paper. Both therapies are considered to be relevant in the dimension of psychology. Still, structural family therapy seems to be more complete and pertinent.

Structural family therapy represents family relationships as a structure and tries to make investigations according to their method. This particular model is based on systems theory that is developed within the last fifteen years (Nichols and Schwartz, 2004). Salvador Minuchin is regarded as the main creator of this approach that has been constructed at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic (Nichols and Schwartz, 2004).

Different patterns of family structure with particular roles and functions are under investigation in this approach. Supporters of structural family therapy believe that the development of the family is straightforwardly related to the family structure (Nichols and Schwartz, 2004). Correct recognition and implementation of particular family roles construct strong family and reliable relations between its members.

What is more, the role of the therapist in structural family therapy is regarded as a reliable support and part of the relations in the family (Corey, 2012). The solutions are unique in each particular situation and predetermine co-development with clients (Corey, 2012). It is worse to mention that such therapy presupposes positive changes in family life and suggests alternative ways of resolving problems.

Multigenerational family therapy is based on understanding family types and their patterns of behavior in the dimension of past generations (Freeman, 2013). Supporters of Multigenerational family therapy appoint the idea that family values, beliefs, fears, and traditions are reflected in the generations and transmitted to the members of the family from previous family patterns (Freeman, 2013). Murray Bowen is considered to be the theoretical creator and experimental user of this particular therapy (Freeman, 2013). The matter is that problems in family interaction seem to be transformed by the heritage of fathers and mothers. Bowen searches for its roots in the previous generation and tries to solve the problem by understanding it.

Taking all facts under consideration it is important to mention that both therapies are relevant and efficient in the field of family psychology and concerning problems with family interactions. Structural family therapy as much as multigenerational family therapy is in need to fix the family and save its sociological unit. Positive aftermath is the principal goal of concerning models. Both methods are desired to research the root of the problem and destroy it for the sake of the preservation of the family. Still, these therapies represent different approaches and points of view on the treatment and are in search of the problem from different angles. It seems to me that the structural approach remained to be more appropriate as in such cases the therapist cooperates with the client in a close and sincere way. The wrong understanding of the family rules and values is reduced and members of the family are in search of an individual solution in their case.