Social Work Case Study

The systems Perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems with interrelated and interdependent parts; as defined by its boundaries. Changing one part of the system affects other parts and the whole system, with predictable patterns of behavior (Hutchinson, 2015). The family system has been a widely used theory of family interventions and assessment. The family systems theory is focused on the family dynamic, involving structures, roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and power relation (Rothbaum, 2004). Many theorist such as Bowen, developed the systems theory that focuses on how a

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) in training are tasked with helping a family work through conflict and arrive and more intimate and interdependent relationships, which can seem daunting or maybe even terrifying. However, the interaction patterns that show up in families can find some context and clarity for a therapist who knows systems theory. Systems theory suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from their family context because families create relational processes and generate a “sequence of interactions” and behaviors in order to maintain dynamic stability of the self-regulating family system (Nichols, 2013, pp. 58-59). How does this general systems theory help an MFT guide a family in therapy? In this paper I will take three systems theory principles and apply them to a movie in order to demonstrate how it provides a language and context for MFTs, thus making it an essential tool in family therapy.

The company she is employed with may be moving overseas, which causes unforeseen stress. Betty manages her home and prepares breakfast every morning for her husband and mother-in-law. Betty does not receive adequate help from Al or Martha. Systems theory enables us to understand the components and dynamics of client systems to interpret problems and develop balanced intervention strategies, with the goal of enhancing the "goodness of fit" between individuals and their environments (Friedman, n.d.). A System is defined as a set of complex objects with relationships between objects and their attributes.

Shanell Bathersfield conducted a self-assessment. She initially determined that the systems theory was one that she was not comfortable with. Through the last few course weeks, she was able to gain an in-depth perspective on several theories that are impactful in the social work field. The coursework and utilizing Juana and Adelina as case studies, truly gave an exclusive insight on how theories are used to understand the client’s circumstances and improve their well-being.

“A family is a set of interacting individuals related by marriage, blood, and adoption or by cohabitation interdependently perform relevant functions to fulfill expected role” (Edelman & Mandle, 2010). Systems theory allows a nurse to view patient as a whole family unit, which the action of each member will influence one another. Family developmental theory is to assist the patients through every stage of life. Gordon’s functional health patterns are eleven principles incorporated with the nursing process to collect data, assess patients and families, and provide a diagnosis for

In this treatment the systems perspective views her family as a self-regulating system to maintain itself. Structure is a very essential and this defines how a family organizes and maintains itself. As Ana expresses losing her job and dropping out of school this approach

Family systems theory is more than a therapeutic technique. It is a philosophy that searches for the causes of behavior, not in the individual alone, but in the interactions among the members of a group. The basic rationale is that all parts of the family are interrelated. The theory demonstrates how Mr. C is relying on Family support take care of his basic needs and is result the care lacking, which has result in Mr. C living in unsanitary condition and rent not being paid on time. All the blame cannot be placed on C’s family, because He might be responsible for not cleaning the apartment and properly throwing away trash. The choices C and Daughter are making will effect his current and future living

First, family systems therapy was theorized by Murray Bowen, that an individual can change his own intellectual mind functioning from an emotional state of mind. “Second, the family therapy system primary focus is to change the dysfunctional breakdown, by using the therapeutic approach intended to identify and explain why and how things happen within the family” (Family systems, 2011). Next, the family systems therapeutic approach is designed to figure out how to bring families together, by detailing their interactions and the role each family member plays. By the same token, the goal is to help change the family structure by helping them understand what contributed to their breakdown and the change in the relationship. Not to mention, each

Sarah and John relationship issues have resulted in separation stemming from lack of communication, anxiety, isolation and disconnection resulting in a dysfunctional marriage. Their lack of interaction with each other and being unaware of the associated feeling and behaviours has contributed to their marriage breakdown. John feels Sarah does not pay attention to him since the kids were born. Sarah finds John irresponsible, and that she needs to look after paying the bills otherwise it would not get done. Another hypothesis is Sarah’s experience of unnatural death by her father, Max who committed suicide. Sarah was devasted and this may have an impact on her. The system theory framework is designed to understand human behaviour in a family or a relationship context as a whole. By viewing each family

M is a 23 y.o., single, heterosexual student at U. She is a Junior. She reported that she withdrew from the school a few days ago after making this intake appointment. PRESENTING CONCERN (Reason for seeking services and related history): M presented with anxiety, depressed mood, family related stress, academic concerns, anger, racing thoughts, worry, sleep difficulty, and difficulty concentrating. She reported that she is considering changing her major.

The purpose of systems therapy is for each member to gain insight into each other’s role as it relates to the levelheaded functional family as a whole, as the system helps to identify

In The Family Crucible, Augustus Napier and Carl Whitaker’s form of therapy was strongly influenced by family systems theory, a burgeoning theory of the time. General systems theory examines relationships between elements that constitute a whole (Andreae, 2011, p. 243). When applied to families, this theory views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit (The

The family system is founded on the notions that for change to occur in the life of an individual, the therapist must understand and work with the family as a whole. In working with the family, the therapist can understand how the individual in counseling functions within his family system and how the client’s behaviors connect to other people in the family. This theory also holds the perception that symptoms are a set of family habits and patterns passed down by generation and not a result of a psychological problem or an inability to change (Corey, 2017). Furthermore, the family system theory holds the idea that when a change occurs everyone in the unit is affected by the change.

This adaptation of systems theory was coined by Dr. Murray Bowen and is referred to as Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. According to Murdock (2013), this particular adaptation of systems theory is considered one of the most reputable and well constructed compared to that of its counterparts. The author states that family systems theories can be utilized with individuals as well as with specific relationships within the family unit, however the majority of therapy is done with individual clients utilizing the context of the family unit. According to Murdock (2013), it is the family system therapist’s belief that the client can best be understood through the

Currently this student uses strengths, empowerment and Systems theories when working with clients. Payne, (2014) states, the strengths perspective is a forward looking approach based on expanding the strengths of the client. This perspective is currently used when setting goals with clients, by taking their strengths and seeing how they can be used to accomplish their family goal. Payne also says empowerment theory seeks to help clients gain power over decisions and actions in their own lives. This student currently uses empowerment by getting families involved on the parent board, so they can have a voice in what happens in the education of their children and the services they are given. The systems theory is currently used by connecting