What is Structural Family Systems Theory & Therapy? 

Systems: The first fundamental assumption is that families are systems with interconnected parts, not just collections of individuals. This means that when one member experiences a problem, it both affects and is affected by the entire unit.

Structure: A second key assumption is that problems often stem from within structural issues rather than individual pathology. The structure refers to the invisible set of rules, roles, and patterns that govern how  members interact.

Boundaries are a key component, theese are the invisible emotional and psychological rules that separate different  subsystems. These boundaries can be rigid (allowing too little contact), clear (allowing appropriate contact), or diffuse (allowing too much contact).

Hierarchy is particularly important in SFT. A well-functioning system has a clear generational boundary, with parents in charge and children having age-appropriate responsibilities and freedoms. Older children might have more responsibility, but are still not as influential as caregivers.

Symptoms: Dysfunction in a family emerges as behavioral or mental health symptoms in one or more members, usually a child. This is seen as a problem not in the individual. They're called the 'IP' - 'Identified Patient, because actually the whole system is being treated.

Modifying The Role Of The IP:  Often a child or teenager, is "the problem." Instead of accepting this view, structural therapy works to help the client understand that the IP's behavior is actually a symptom of broader patterns. For instance, if a teenager is acting out, rather than focusing solely on their behavior, the therapy explores how interactions might be contributing to or maintaining these actions.

Clarify Boundaries: establishing clearer boundaries is fundamental to creating a more functional family system. Think of boundaries like invisible fences that define relationships between members and subsystems. When boundaries are too rigid, members become emotionally distant; when they're too diffuse or enmeshed, there's insufficient independence. The therapist helps families find the right balance, ensuring that parents can work as a team while maintaining appropriate separation between parent and sibling relationship in their subsystems.

Increasing the scope of communication, the third goal, involves improving communication by helping the system develop more effective ways of expressing themselves and understanding each other. This might mean helping an authoritarian parent develop a softer approach, teaching system members to express feelings directly rather than through behavior, or helping parents communicate limits and expectations clearly to their children. The focus is on creating patterns of communication that support both connection and healthy autonomy.

Family Mapping - is one of the most useful tools and a terrific family intervention that a structural family therapist will use in a family therapy session. The therapist observes how the family interacts and creates a visual map of the family unit that maps out the family hierarchy, how the family operates including unhealthy and healthy relationships. More importantly attempts to identify patterns in a dysfunctional hierarchy that maintain and perpetuate unhealthy family dynamics.

Enactments Family therapists know that real change happens through action, not just talk. That's why we create opportunities for families to practice new interaction patterns right in our sessions. Like a rehearsal for life, enactments help improve communication, healthier interactions and build confidence in handling challenging situations together.

Reframing: Sometimes the key to addressing mental health issues lies in seeing behaviors differently. Structural family therapists help families understand challenging moments not as problems, but as attempts to connect or cope. This shift in perspective often unlocks new possibilities for healing and creating healthier interactions.

Restructuring: Like skilled architects, we help families design and build healthier boundaries that support better family functioning. This might mean helping parents align their approach, teaching age-appropriate independence, or finding the right balance within your unique structure.

Circular questioning is a therapeutic technique used in therapy to explore relationships, patterns, and dynamics within a system. Rather than asking direct linear questions, the therapist asks questions that reveal how different members' behaviors and reactions influence each other in a circular pattern. Watch the video for more information.

For example, instead of asking "Why does Jimmy skip school?", a therapist might ask "When Jimmy stays home from school, what does Mom typically do first? And how does Dad respond to Mom's reaction?" This helps uncover the interconnected nature of family dynamics and how behaviors maintain certain patterns over time.

Circular Questioning Examples

• "When your teen seems anxious about school, who notices first? How do other family members respond when that person expresses concern?"
• "If we asked your daughter who gets most worried when she's upset - Mom or Dad - what would she say? How does that person's worry affect her anxiety?"
• "On days when there's less conflict at dinner, what's different about how each family member interacts with each other beforehand?"
• "When Dad works late, how does that change Mom's evening routine with the kids? How do the kids respond differently to Mom during those times?"
• "Who in the family is most likely to try to make peace after an argument? What do others do in response to that person's peacemaking efforts?"
• "If your son's teacher were here, what would they say about how his behavior changes depending on which parent attends school meetings?"
• "When your daughter starts withdrawing to her room, what changes have you noticed in how you and your spouse communicate with each other?"
• "How has the time your family spends together changed since your son started having difficulty at school? What's different about how each family member interacts now compared to before?"