Family Systems Therapy Overview

Family systems therapy is a form of psychotherapy that supports people in resolving conflicts between family members or within their families. It’s based on the research that psychiatrist Murray Bowen conducted in the mid-1950s on family systems and how they impacted his patients.

Family systems therapy

The results of this research were developed into family systems theory in the 1960s and eventually laid out in a book, which was published in 1988. According to the Bowen Family Systems Therapy, a person cannot be fully separated from their family and relational system.

Core concepts of family systems theory

The Bowen Family Systems Theory is based on human behavior and views the family as an emotional system or emotional unit. In Bowen’s view, human relationships have evolved over time and are important to survival. Often, individual members within family systems seek acceptance and validation from one another. When these things aren't adequately given or received, it can cause lasting damage—particularly when children are involved in the family. Family systems therapy aims to address these conflicts within a family's emotional system and help heal these wounds. There are eight interconnected concepts within family systems theory, upon which family systems therapy is based, the eight interlocking concepts include:

This family systems concept refers to a core, three-person dynamic. Although a base three-person family unit is thought to offer more emotional stability than two, a triangle can also be a source of power shifts and conflict between one family member and another.

2. Differentiation of self among family members

The differentiation of self refers to the theory of how we develop relationships within our family as children and adolescents—relationships that then determine parts of our identity. Once a family member finds a particular sense of self or self-leadership within their family unit, it rarely changes.

The nuclear family emotional process is a process is based on the patterns that most influence family structures and emotionality. It may include marital conflict, family conflict, spousal dysfunction, impairment, and emotional distance.

The family projection process is a family systems therapy process in which parents hand down their emotional difficulties to their children. It includes three steps:

• The family focuses their attention on their children, worrying that there's an issue that needs to be addressed.
• The family observes a child's behavior and concludes that their fear is justified.
• The family begins to act like there's actually an issue that needs to be addressed

5. Multigenerational transmission process

This family systems process refers to how children typically develop similar levels of self-differentiation to their parents. The reason is that they learned how to self-differentiate by observing their parents, meaning that parents and children may have similar levels of self-differentiation for generations creating family patterns in self-differentiation—especially since people are also likely to seek out mates with similar levels to themselves.

6. Emotional cutoff

This cutoff refers to how a family may distance themselves from one another emotionally in order to lessen the intensity of a conflict. On the surface, it seems like it could benefit them as a whole family. In reality, it can actually cause more anxiety within the family systems.

7. Sibling position

This part of the theory posits that a sibling’s position in the birth order impacts their life and how the family functions as a whole. Different positions in the family order tend to be associated with different personality types. For example, older children tend to be leaders and middle children tend to be peacemakers.

8. Societal emotional process

Societal emotional process refers to how society can impact a family system and their emotional lives. Bowen treated parents within the criminal justice system and noticed how external influences could affect families, which is where this aspect of the family systems theory comes from.

Family systems therapy expectations

In terms of end goal, what is family systems therapy?

The goal of this type of family therapy is to help each person see the perspective of others in an attempt to restore familial relationships and reinforce a healthy, functioning family dynamic. Different family members will have different perceptions of their relationships, and a good therapist will be able to see what's happening from all sides in a non-biased way and help the family meet in the middle.

Family systems therapy is a popular model in the field that can be used to help families of all types. This form of family therapy can be especially useful for those who are struggling with unresolved family conflicts or pain of some kind that is impacting family relationships.

Marriage and family therapy for relationship support, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions

Here are some examples of conflicts that a family may seek family systems therapy for:

• Conflict avoidance 
• Coping with a loss
• Issues related to children or parenting
• Substance use issues
• Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety)
• Romantic relationships that impact the family

Mental health resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing substance use disorder or other mental health concerns, help is available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Marriage and family therapist

Finding a therapist who is experienced in family therapy—family systems therapy, in particular—is important. Through specific training, a qualified therapist will have typically gained knowledge of common family power dynamics and communication problems and will be able to guide your family through the challenges you’re facing in a skilled and effective manner.