Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy Theories Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Lay of the Land Two closely related philosophical traditions inform family therapy approaches: Systems theory Social constructivism Traditional theories draw more on systemic theory. More recent theories draw from social constructionist. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Systemic Foundations The Macy Conferences (1940s): A group of scholars and researchers met to discuss how groups of things operate to form a “system.” Several “systems” theories developed from these meetings. Early family therapies integrated these systems concepts. Systems Theories A unique philosophical view of human behavior. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Foundational Systemic Thinkers Some of the contributors to systemic theory: Gregory Bateson Heinz von Foerster Milton Erickson Bradford Keeney Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Systemic Assumptions General Systems Theory Systems operate using the same basic principles. Cybernetic Systems Theory Closely related, but more focused on social systems. Most influence on family therapy. They are self-correcting, moving towards dynamic homeostasis. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Homeostasis and Self-Correction Homeostasis in families refers to the unique set of behavioral, emotional, and interactional norms that create stability for the family or other social group. Not static but dynamic. The key to maintaining stability is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Negative and Positive Feedback Negative feedback No new information, system remains the same – homeostasis. Positive feedback Yes, new information is coming in, system is changing. In most systems, response to positive feedback is return to homeostasis. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.) Diane R. Gehart ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. For classroom use only. Change and Communication First- and second-order change: Second-order change: change after positive feedback. First-order change: system returns to previous homeostasis after positive feedback. Concept is helpful when working with complex family dynamics “One Cannot Not Communicate” All behavior is a form of commun ...

1. Chapter 3: Philosophical Foundations of Family Therapy
Theories
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Lay of the Land
Two closely related philosophical traditions inform family
therapy approaches:
Systems theory
Social constructivism
Traditional theories draw more on systemic theory.
More recent theories draw from social constructionist.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Systemic Foundations
The Macy Conferences (1940s):
A group of scholars and researchers met to discuss how groups
of things operate to form a “system.”
Several “systems” theories developed from these meetings.
Early family therapies integrated these systems concepts.
Systems Theories
A unique philosophical view of human behavior.

2. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Foundational Systemic Thinkers
Some of the contributors to systemic theory:
Gregory Bateson
Heinz von Foerster
Milton Erickson
Bradford Keeney
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Systemic Assumptions
General Systems Theory
Systems operate using the same basic principles.
Cybernetic Systems Theory
Closely related, but more focused on social systems.
Most influence on family therapy.
They are self-correcting, moving towards dynamic homeostasis.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Homeostasis and Self-Correction

3. Homeostasis in families refers to the unique set of behavioral,
emotional, and interactional norms that create stability for the
family or other social group.
Not static but dynamic.
The key to maintaining stability is the ability to self-correct,
which requires feedback.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Negative and Positive Feedback
Negative feedback
No new information, system remains the same – homeostasis.
Positive feedback
Yes, new information is coming in, system is changing.
In most systems, response to positive feedback is return to
homeostasis.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Change and Communication
First- and second-order change:
Second-order change: change after positive feedback.
First-order change: system returns to previous homeostasis after
positive feedback.
Concept is helpful when working with complex family dynamics
“One Cannot Not Communicate”
All behavior is a form of communication.

4. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Communication-Report and Command
Report
Content, the literal meaning of the statement.
Command
The metacommunication — how to interpret the communication.
Serves to define the relationship.
All behavior is a form of communication.
Arguments appearing to be over “little things” are really about
how the relationship is being defined in relation to those little
things.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Double Binds
Two people in an intense relationship with high degree of
survival value
Within the relationship, message is given that is structured
with:
a) primary injunction (request or order) and
b) a simultaneous secondary injunction that contradicts the first.
Receiver senses that he/she cannot escape or step outside the
cognitive frame of the contradiction.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)

5. Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Relationships-Symmetrical & Complementary
Symmetrical relationships
Each party has symmetrical or evenly distributed abilities in the
system.
Complementary relationships
Each party has a distinct role that complements the other, often
resulting in a form of hierarchy.
Examples include: pursuer/distancer, emotional/logical, easy-
going/organized
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Family as a System
Defining feature of systemic approaches to family therapy is
viewing the family as a system; an entity.
No single person orchestrates the interaction patterns.
All behavior makes sense in context.
No single person can be blamed for family distress.
Personal characteristics are system dependent.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Second-Order Cybernetics
Applying systemic principles to the observing system (i.e. the

6. therapist)
The creation of a new, observer-observed system: a second-
order (or level) of system.
Therapist can no longer assume to be a neutral, unbiased
observer.
Remain aware of how therapeutic behavior shapes that of the
client.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Social Constructivist Foundations
Most influential in development of new psychotherapy models.
Ex:
Solution
-focused, collaborative, and narrative therapies
Textual Metaphor
People “story” their lives to create meaning.
Relational Focus
Maintains an emphasis on relationships and relational
construction of reality
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart

7. ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Social Constructivist Theorists
Foundational Theorists include:
Kenneth Gergen
First introduced social constructionist ideas in 1985 laying the
foundation for the development of this approach; notably
Collaborative Therapy.
Sheila McNamee
John Shotter
Michel Foucault
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern Assumptions
“Truths” &“realities” are constructed, language and
consciousness develop meanings — the value of an object
Different schools of postmodern emphasize different levels of
reality construction:
Linguistic Level: Post-structuralism & Philosophy of Language

8. Person Level: Constructivism
Relational Level: Social Constructionism
Societal Level: Critical Theory
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern Assumptions
Reality is constructed through language.
Language is not neutral.
Words fashion our identities, identify what is and is not a
problem.
Reality is negotiated through relationships.
Meanings attributed to life experiences are not developed alone.
Meanings a person gives are always embedded in a web of
relationships.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart

9. ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern Assumptions
Tradition, Culture, and Oppression
Culture provides a set of values that its members use to
interpret their lives.
Provides a framework for safety and effectively interacting with
others.
Selecting certain goods and values over others creates labels of
judgment.
Cultural oppressiveness is directly correlated with reflexivity.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern Assumptions
Reflexivity and Humanity
A culture remains humane to the extent that it is reflexive, able
to examine the effects of itself on others and to question and
doubt its values and meanings.
Within any group there are some people for whom the dominant

10. cultural norms “fit” and those for whom they do not.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern Assumptions
Social Constructionism, Postmodernism, and Diversity
Suspiciousness about singular “truths” has affected the practice
of most therapies.
Norms of human behavior are relative because they are
established by one group.
Diverse people each have their own reality and truths.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
How to Choose a Theory
Dating vs. Marrying Theories

11. “Play the field” before deciding which theory works best for
you.
Dating a few theories increases:
Skill and knowledge base.
Awareness of who you are and your style as a therapist.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Defining Your Philosophy
Settling Down With One Theory
Clarify for yourself:
What it means to be human (ontology).
How people learn and change (epistemology).
Commits also to the broader philosophy of the theory’s
foundation.
4 major categories of family therapy theories: modernism,
humanism, systemic, and postmodern

12. Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Modernism
Founded on logical-positivist assumptions of an external
“Truth.”
Therapist is an expert, assuming role of teacher or mentor.
Two family therapy schools:
Psychodynamic
Cognitive-behavioral therapies
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Humanism
Founded on phenomenological philosophy that prioritizes the
individual’s subjective truth.
Supportive, nurturing environments promote therapeutic change.
Includes: Carl Roger’s client-centered therapy, Fritz Perl’s
Gestalt therapy, Virginia Satir’s communications approach

13. among others
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Systemic
Grounded in general systems theory and cybernetic systems
theory.
Emphasize ‘contextual’ truth.
One cannot not communicate; all behavior is a form of
communication.
An individual’s behavior and symptoms always make sense in
the person’s broader relational contexts.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Postmodern

14. Based on the premise that objective truth can never be fully
known.
Objectivity is not humanly possible.
Language and words greatly affect how one’s identity is
shaped/experienced.
Three influential schools: Constructivism, social
constructivism, and structuralism/poststructuralism
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart
©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.
Committing to a Theory
Mastering one theoretical approach and the underlying
philosophical assumptions enables deeper understanding of
other theories.
Allows for integration and adaptation of ideas from other
approaches while staying philosophically consistent with one’s
own approach.
Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy (2nd ed.)
Diane R. Gehart

15. ©2014. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
For classroom use only.