Chapter 13 Family Systems

Family Systems theory is most closely associated with Virginia Satir. According to this theory, a family is seen as a system. A family is a system of interrelated people and how they function together. What affects one part of the system affects another. Therefore, to understand an individual it is important to understand the entire system. It is impossible to fully understand one individual without the others. Despite resistance to change each family system constantly adapts to maintain itself in response to its members and environment.
Systems change through the family life cycle. Changes in family systems are caused by both nominative (predictable life cycle changes) and non-normative (crisis) stresses.

This theory applies to the PK-12 setting in very obvious ways. If a child is exhibiting behavior problems, a school counselor will most likely come across family issues. Many times if parents are fighting, going through a divorce, experiencing money issues or any kind of issue the student will demonstrate some kind of response. Using a FS approach with students is a great way to ensure that the student is getting what is best for them. The student is only at school 5 days a week, and will be affected by their home-life significantly.

Video: Family Session: Pam, Judy, and Adrian
In this video session the daughter client talks about how it is hard fir her to be with her mom. She wants to do things on her own, but she feels like her mother tries to control her. The father often asks daughter to be nice to the mother. The father tries to push the mother and the daughter together. Then the mother gets angry because he tells her to change her tone of voice. The counselors suggests that the father and daughter work together to avoid having the mother tell them what to do. According to family systems all three clients are affecting each other. Perhaps the tension between the father and mother is related to the tension between the mother and daughter. However, it would be silly (according to the chapter) to infer causation.