What is Family Systems Therapy?

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Family Systems Therapy is an approach to family counseling founded by Psychiatrist and Researcher Dr. Murray Bowen in the 1960s. It relies on Bowen’s Family Systems theory, which states that systems, like families, consist of parts affected by one another. This structure means that each family member affects the behaviors of others.

Family Systems Therapy aims to identify these interlocking systems that might result in negative relational patterns and address the causes so family members can relate better to one another.

Family System theory posits that every person can benefit from examining the patterns from their family of origin or the family they grew up with during their formative years. For some people, this could include their biological family, their adoptive family, or other key caregivers present in their early childhood.

While most commonly used in family counseling, counselors also can use Family Systems Therapy in individual or couples counseling.

Your therapist will ask questions about your family of origin and might even ask you to complete a genogram, which is a diagram of your family relationships going back as far as possible. The genogram ranges in detail but usually includes names of ancestors and family members, births, marriages, deaths, and sometimes mental illnesses if known. From there, your counselor might ask you to recall your relationships with your parents and siblings.

Family Systems Therapy helps you understand how your family relationships from childhood impact you today. By identifying emotions you experienced when you were younger regarding the way your family dealt with life, you may begin to get more clarity about the patterns you currently maintain while relating to your family, friends, significant other, or other loved ones. Your therapist then will help you establish more positive, adaptive ways of relating to others, which ultimately leads to growth and healing.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Family Systems Therapy

Amy Schulz

Portland

Oregon

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Therapy is a unique experience aimed at helping clients understand their emotions as well as learning that our symptoms are telling us something. It is the collaborative relationship between therapist and client that allows each client to explore not only their symptoms but understand ones self, while obtaining valuable tools to deal with emotions, conflict, and interpersonal communication. In ...

Tavarous Saint-Louis

Atlanta

Georgia

As a licensed therapist, I help create a safe space for each person to learn, grow and heal. In addition to motivating clients towards positive changes, I offer holistic and culturally diverse psychotherapy services to individuals, couples and families. Together, we will create a customized plan to empower and assist you in reaching your wellness goals. I have a passion for the healthy well-bei...
Children and adolescents in today's ever changing world faces a tremendous amount of pressure and stress. This can lead to emotional distress, behavioral changes at home and at school, and social challenges. I provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and emerging adults experiencing emotional and behavioral distress to help them build effective skills in order to navigate ...
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David Joel Freilicher

New York

New York

I understand the challenges and anxiety we are all currently experiencing. I believe that psychotherapy is an invaluable journey to identifying personal strengths, greater self-awareness, examining recurring issues, leading to living a more satisfying life. My training and experiences shape a unique perspective in working with clients. I focus on couples counseling, individuals, older adults...
I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I admire those seeking positive change and personal growth in their lives. It is a privilege to provide support and guidance to people working to better themselves and to connect to others in such a meaningful way. Counseling is a collaborative process in which a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to successful client outcomes. I am strengths...
Let me help you walk through these trying times. Through strength based therapy and a holistic approach, I'll walk along side you to find a solutions and improve wellbeing. I have experience with grief therapy, anxiety, depression, new life stages, emotionally focused couples therapy, and parenting coaching. Furthermore, I have extensive experience working with Third-Culture-Kids or multi-cultu...
Welcome- I am glad you are here. If you are looking for a couples therapist, you might be struggling in your relationship. Maybe you have experienced a lot of conflict, a major relationship stressor or trauma, or maybe you have been feeling disconnected and know things could be better. Relationship issues can impact more than just the relationship and can have a huge effect on mental health, li...
I am a solution focused, clinical social worker who seeks to help my clients restore balance within themselves and their environment. Establishing realistic goals helps to pave the journey we take together between client and therapist. It is inevitable for life to provide some type of challenge and I am here to help my clients navigate their struggles utilizing a variety of coping skills develo...
Life is difficult right now. I would be honored in being able to support you in promoting psychological wellness, including experiencing more joy, gratitude, fulfillment, and authenticity. I have substantial experience and expertise in working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and their families. I work well with those experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, mood,...
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist of over 13 years of clinical experience, an approved AAMFT Supervisor and founder of Enso Minds a center of therapy, counseling, evaluations, supervision and concierge membership services, offered in English and Spanish in person or online. I pride myself in providing custom, evidence based services to all my clients, respecting their unique needs. ...
I am a clinical social worker and addictions counselor with experience in treating individuals with depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, and addictive disorders. Together we can develop a plan for you to reach your goals and lessen the impact that psychological and behavioral issues can have on your life's journey. I am here to help. Please contact me if you would like a consultatio...
( English | español ) (Not accepting new clients) There are days that you want to get away from your child and it kills you to feel this way. You sometimes think of the life you had prior to having children. You were less exhausted then. You didn’t think parenting would be this hard. Your child is having constant meltdowns and becomes upset over the littlest things. This happens almost daily. Y...
Life has become extremely uncertain and more difficult in every way! If you are feeling stressed, anxious and scared, this is a great time to reach out and find support. My goal as a therapist is to help you navigate through challenges, make sense of your experiences, and even find the tiniest joys in the hidden in the day to day. I understand that these are historic times and there is so many...