The Relational Systems Model for Family Therapy presents a multi-systems approach to family therapy that teaches the therapist important self-differentiating capacities that set the tone for creating a powerful therapeutic atmosphere. This model relies on the therapist’s capacity to adhere to its basic ideas, as they are the most vital factor in the model’s success. Understanding this model allows therapists to lead clients to heightened self-awareness and the realization of their human potential, both important factors for intellectual growth, emotional maturity, and problem solving.
Key Features
- The self-differentiating therapist: the person-of-the-therapist is the crucial variable in an effective family treatment process.
- The facing process: the client faces such issues as self-identity, life-purpose, thought and behaviour patterns, emotionalized fears, and the future.
- Emotionalized right/wrong: focus is on consequences of actions rather than right/wrong judgments in relationship issues.
- Life stances: the uniqueness of the individual affects their connection to the life realities.
- Family grid: a way for the therapist to organize and talk about important family systems dynamics.
- The therapeutic paradox: the client’s worldview is examined through the therapist’s worldview and a new worldview is formed.
Additional Information
In The Relational Systems Model for Family Therapy, Author Donald R. Bardill encourages the therapist to be the learning vehicle for the integration of the four realities of life (self, other, context, spiritual) and the differentiating process that is necessary for human survival, safety, and growth. The Relational Systems Model for Family Therapy is an important handbook for practitioners and students in the fields of clinical social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, mental health counselling, and counselling psychology.
