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The use of family myths as an aid to strategic therapy
Author(s) -
Anderson Stephen A.,
Bagarozzi Dennis A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1046/j..1983.00612.x
Subject(s) - mythology , literal (mathematical logic) , narrative , family therapy , perception , psychology , intervention (counseling) , relation (database) , genogram , social psychology , aesthetics , psychotherapist , computer science , linguistics , literature , art , philosophy , psychiatry , database , neuroscience
The concept of family myth can be used by the therapist to help organize the wealth of information provided by a family in therapy. Rituals, symbols and metaphors can be viewed as structurally related components within the family myth system which enable the therapist to interpret non‐literal, analogic communications as a coherent yet primarily symbolic, narrative about the family's shared perceptions of its functioning. The concept of myth is explored in relation to mythology, the family therapy literature, and a case study. Several strategic intervention strategies are proposed which utilize the family's own metaphors, symbols and rituals to re‐edit the family myth. Re‐editing the myth on a symbolic level should be associated with improved system functioning, including more concrete areas of the family's life.