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A behavioural and systems approach to family therapy: a position paper
Author(s) -
Sein E. P.,
Fundudis T.,
Kolvin I.
Publication year - 1987
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..1987.00287.x
Subject(s) - dysfunctional family , psychology , premise , family therapy , identification (biology) , cognition , psychotherapist , feeling , reciprocal , intervention (counseling) , transactional analysis , cognitive psychology , cognitive restructuring , developmental psychology , social psychology , linguistics , philosophy , botany , neuroscience , psychiatry , biology
An integrated model of a behavioural and systems approach to family therapy is presented, the main premise being that family interactions are affected by reciprocal determination of cognitions, feelings and behaviours in relation to the environment. Assessment involves a systematic exploration of the interaction and transactional patterns within the family, and the identification of the dysfunctional aspects of such patterns. The main aim of the intervention is to produce change in family behaviour by addressing the important cognitive and affective issues. This entails techniques such as cognitive restructuring, social modelling and operant conditioning which can be used separately, in parallel, or in combination. Whether one or more of these techniques is used depends on the nature of the family's problems and the aims of treatment.