Are you looking for a career that helps families improve their relationships and interactions with one another? Learning how to work with families and utilize structural family therapy may be right for you. But what is structural family therapy? This type of family therapy focuses on family structures and helps to enhance familial relationships. Completing the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can put you on the right track to becoming a structural family therapist. Here, we discuss structural family therapy and how it can improve interactions among family members.
What Is Structural Family Therapy?
Structural family therapy, developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Salvador Minuchin, is a kind of therapy that focuses on examining and adjusting the interactions and relationships between family members. The sessions include all members of a family, rather than a single individual, allowing the therapist to observe how the family interacts in real time. The goal of structural family therapy is to identify and change unhealthy patterns within a family structure to improve the family’s interactions and overall relationships. It also aims to support the mental health of each family member by addressing underlying patterns of interaction within the family.
Who Undergoes Structural Family Therapy?
Structural family therapy is often utilized by families who are undergoing periods of uncertainty or experiencing tension, especially those with teenage children. It is most used in cases of:
- Adolescent behavioral and mood disorders
- Drug use
- Trauma
- Eating disorders
- Blending families
- Illness or death of a family member
- Families where a parent suffers from a mental health condition
- Major changes in family life, such as moving cities, divorce, or a change in sexual orientation among a family member
The therapist is actively involved in the process of restructuring the family system to modify dysfunctional elements and help the family work more cohesively as a unit. Structural family therapy can continue for several weeks or several months, depending on the family and their concerns.
How Does Structural Family Therapy Improve Family Interactions?
As mentioned above, the main goal of structural family therapy is to help family members improve their interactions with one another. This is done through several techniques, which include:
Joining
Joining is generally the first step in structural family therapy. It involves the therapist getting to know the family and actively engaging with all members. This helps to build trust and show support. Joining can also involve setting expectations and goals for treatment.
Mapping
Mapping refers to an effort by the therapist to understand a family’s structures, rules, patterns, and behaviors. The therapist may draw a diagram with notes themselves or have the family members each map out these functions. Mapping helps both the therapist and the family members determine which areas could be improved upon.
Boundary Setting
Setting boundaries is important in any relationship, but especially in families that are dealing with complex issues. Boundary setting involves distinguishing and adjusting the boundaries between family members to create healthier interactions.
Reframing
Reframing is an important step in changing family structures and interactions. It involves changing the perspective on a family member’s situation to help other members see it from another point of view. Instead of seeing the person’s situation as a shortcoming, reframing can help the other family members see that it may be a result of the family dynamics.
Enactment
Enactment is a process that consists of family members role-playing situations to observe how they react and respond. Afterward, the therapist will offer suggestions to modify interaction patterns, along with practices for the family to implement.
Unbalancing
Unbalancing is a way that a therapist can challenge family members who are playing a role in the family dysfunction. It is not confrontational but rather helps push family members to disrupt dysfunctional patterns.
All these techniques are utilized in structural family therapy to improve the family members’ interactions and relationships to create a better family dynamic. It also provides members with tools they can use to adapt to stressful situations.
What Are the Benefits of Structural Family Therapy?
Since its establishment in the 1960s, structural family therapy has become one of the leading theories in family therapy. This is because it offers families several benefits, including:
- Correcting imbalances or dysfunctional patterns within a family
- Establishing healthy boundaries
- Helping individuals improve their reactions
- Improving communication and interactions between family members
- Addressing and adapting hierarchies within the family system
- Improving parental competence and satisfaction
- Enhancing relationship dynamics
- Improving adaptability and stress management
- Decreasing anger and resentment
- Addressing specific familial issues
These benefits make structural family therapy a helpful option for families who want to better their relationships and enhance their interactions with one another.
MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
If you’re interested in learning more about structural family therapy, becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) is the first step. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we offer a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy that prepares graduates to seek licensure with the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. This two-year program is offered at our Minneapolis campus and is taught by experienced practicing professionals with real-world experience. Students learn how to perform ethical and compassionate therapy techniques on diverse clientele, along with other academic topics like:
- Strong components of reflection and personal growth
- Ethical frameworks for clinical practice
- Cultural diversity-centered assessments and intervention for clinical practice
- Several systemic/relational theories and models of LMFT practice
- Systemic perspectives for the treatment of mental health issues
- Interventions to promote the well-being of clients
Students also participate in 300 hours of clinical work to gain hands-on experience in practical training. Our MA in Marriage and Family Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Graduates of a COAMFTE-accredited program are better prepared to obtain licensure in other states, as many states’ educational requirements are based on COAMFTE standards. To learn more about this program, read through the course catalog today.
MA in Marriage and Family Therapy Program Requirements
Before applying to our MA in MFT program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, you should be sure that you meet the admissions requirements. They include:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.00 scale
- Demonstration of the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework
- Completion of an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process
However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Each candidate’s application must include the following:
- A completed application form
- An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree, along with any other relevant transcripts
- A personal statement that includes a brief description of the applicant’s background, training, experience, career goals, etc.
- Letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability and,
- A current résumé listing educational background and work experience
Applicants are not required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT).
Why Choose Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, nonprofit Lasallian Catholic University that offers programs with faith-based principles in mind. This provides students with the tools and values needed to become ethical leaders in whatever field they pursue. Along with our Lasallian Catholic values, there are plenty of other advantages of attending a program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. They include:
- Encouraging faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping students succeed
- Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission(HLC), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Financial aid opportunities, including loans, grants, and scholarships, for students who qualify
- Career services, including resume building, interview preparation, virtual career masterclasses, etc.
- Writing centers that offer appointments with virtual services, professional writing consultants, peer workshops, and more
- Libraries with resources and services that are available 24/7 to all students
These are just some of the many reasons to choose Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota for your doctorate education.
Become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
If you want to provide structural family therapy to families in need, start on the path toward becoming an LMFT at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our MA in Marriage and Family Therapy program provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to become licensed and start working as a structural family therapist. Our ongoing commitment to the principles of Lasallian Catholic education sets us apart from other colleges and helps students live ethical lives of service. To learn more about our program, request more information and connect with a counselor today.
