Week 4: Structural and Strategic Family Therapy
Assignment 1: Structural Versus Strategic Family Therapies
Students will:
· Compare structural family therapy to strategic family therapy
· Create structural family maps
· Justify recommendations for family therapy
To prepare:
· Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide on structural and strategic family therapies.
· Refer to Gerlach (2015) in this week’s Learning Resources for guidance on creating a structural family map.
The Assignment
In a 2- to 3-page paper, (excluding title and reference page) address the following:
Structural Family Therapy
Strategic Family Therapy
Compare structural family therapy to strategic family therapy, noting the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Provide an example of a family in your practicum using a structural family map. Note: Be sure to maintain HIPAA regulations.
Recommend a specific therapy for the family, and justify your choice using the Learning Resources.
Required Readings
Nichols, M. (2014). The essentials of family therapy (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
· Chapter 5, “Bowen Family Systems Therapy” (pp. 69–88)
· Chapter 6, “Strategic Family Therapy” (pp. 89–109)
· Chapter 7, “Structural Family Therapy” (pp. 110–128)
Gerlach, P. K. (2015). Use structural maps to manage your family well: Basic premises and examples. Retrieved from http://sfhelp.org/fam/map.htm
McNeil, S. N., Herschberger, J. K., & Nedela, M. N. (2013). Low-income families with potential adolescent gang involvement: A structural community family therapy integration model. American Journal of Family Therapy, 41(2), 110–120. doi:10.1080/01926187.2011.649110
Méndez, N. A., Qureshi, M. E., Carnerio, R., & Hort, F. (2014). The intersection of Facebook and structural family therapy volume 1. American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(2), 167–174. doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.794046
Nichols, M., & Tafuri, S. (2013). Techniques of structural family assessment: A qualitative analysis of how experts promote a systemic perspective. Family Process, 52(2), 207–215. doi:10.1111/famp.12025
