Family Systems Theory - An Overview

Hi All, As I am nearing the completion of my second blog I thought I would post a brief overview of what is contained and furthered within it. There other aspects that will be covered though I am yet to complete them. Stay tuned for more on Family systems theory. - Family systems theory is a theory of human behaviour that views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions within this unit. - Founding theorists Murray Bowen (and later Michael Kerr) suggested the connectedness and reactivity found among family members makes the functioning of family members interdependent and founded the theory upon these principles. - Family Systems Theory believes that individuals who do not examine and rectify patterns of negative behaviour passed down from previous generations are likely to repeat these behaviours in their own families. - Family systems theory is rapidly becoming one of the most popular and effective methods of problem solving. Unlike conventional psychological theory which focuses on the individual, Family systems theory encourages people to think of issues in terms of a multigenerational family or system. Essentially this approach encourages people to move away from blaming others and towards individual responsibility. - Family systems theory is still found in practices today. It is commonly found in a number of areas of psychotherapy including eating disorders, suicide and depression. (References list available in Blog 2) (sorry about the spacing, but this thing has a mind of it own!!)