The document discusses systems theory as it relates to family therapy. It states that individuals are best understood by looking at their interactions within the entire family system, as symptoms serve a purpose for the family as a whole. It also notes that a change in one family member affects all other members, so the focus is on examining interaction patterns across the entire family system rather than blaming any single individual. The goal is for the entire family to participate together in finding solutions.

2.  To understand this better,
consider the example of a
mobile.
 When you move any one piece
of a mobile, all the other pieces
move too! They do not exist in
isolation from one another, and
“movement” in any one part of
the “system” will affect all the rest
of the parts of the system.

3.  Individuals – are best understood through
assessing the interactions within an entire family
 Symptoms – are viewed as an expression of a
dysfunction within a family
 Problematic behaviors –
› Serve a purpose for the family
› Are a function of the family’s inability to operate
productively
› Are symptomatic patterns handed down across
generations
 A family – is an inter-actional unit and a
change in one member effects all members

4. Inclusion of all parts of the system rather than
being limited to the “identified patient”
Rather than blaming either “identified patient”
or the family, the entire family has an
opportunity (1) to examine the multiple
perspectives and interactional patterns that
characterize the unit and (2) participate in
finding solutions.
Limitations
lose sight of the individual by focusing on the
broader system

5. All helping methods exist within a cultural context.
MCT recognizes the differences among and within clients.
Looks at how family and cultural factors affect one’s worldview.
MCT came from the recognition that many theories were empirically
validated on white middle-class males and therefore may not work as well
with people who are from other diverse groups.
“Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

6. Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)
› Therapists strive to liberate clients from personal, social and
economic oppression.
› Clients are liberated from self-blame and shown how their problems
often exist in a social context.
› Independence is basic to philosophy and action in MCT.
Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT) as Metatheory
› MCT recognizes culture as an internalized, subjective perspective
formed against a backdrop of contrasting cultural backgrounds.
› Points out the importance in seeing the individual in context.
› It is concerned with cultural intentionality.
› Traditional theories are modified in ways that show respect for
human diversity.

11. Limitations of Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)
› The counselor needs to be highly competent in traditional theory.
› The counselor needs to have a in-depth understanding of MCT
metatheory.
› The counselor needs to develop a knowledge of many different
cultures.
› There is a small research base on MCT
› It challenges traditional therapies.
› It can be difficult for practicing counselors to incorporate it.
“Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

12. Prepared by: Krisseanne Tan