Structural school · Fundamentals
The structural approach in systemic therapy explained simply
In the vast universe of family therapy, the structural approach holds a special place, owing both to the genius of its creator, Salvador Minuchin, and to the effectiveness of its methods for deciphering and transforming family dynamics. Here is an exploration of its foundations, its applications and its transformative impact on families.
From field observations to a method
The history of the structural approach begins in the 1950s, a period of intellectual ferment when family therapy was seeking its way beyond the traditional frameworks of the psychotherapy of the time. Salvador Minuchin, a psychiatrist of Argentine origin, stood out among his peers by developing an approach centred on the structure of the family, its subsystems and the boundaries that govern the interactions between its members.
Minuchin witnessed the complexity of family relationships within underprivileged communities in New York. His observations and fieldwork, particularly with families facing complex relational problems, led him to formulate the structural approach. With Braulio Montalvo, and later Jay Haley, Minuchin shaped a therapeutic method aimed not only at understanding the family system, but above all at restructuring it.
Boundaries, subsystems and hierarchy
The heart of the structural approach rests on the idea that the family is a system with its own logic, its tensions, its alliances and its capacity to cope with stress. This system is marked by boundaries that delimit the subsystems and regulate the interactions between family members. For the therapist, observing, respecting and, ultimately, intervening in this system requires a deep understanding of these dynamics.
Key point
The problems an individual encounters are often the reflection of dysfunctions within the family system: changing the relationships within the family can bring about significant changes in each person’s behaviour and well-being.
This involves working on the very structure of the family: clarifying boundaries, realigning subsystems and restoring a functional hierarchy.
Throughout my practice, I have seen the effectiveness of this approach, particularly in the way it reveals the invisible dynamics that shape family relationships. Creating a structural map of the family, for instance, offers a clear visualisation of these dynamics and makes it easier to identify points of intervention.
More than a set of techniques, a philosophy of change
The structural approach in family therapy is not limited to a set of techniques: it represents a philosophy of change. Whether you are a mental health professional, a psychology student or simply interested in family dynamics, I hope this exploration brings you new perspectives and tools to facilitate change.
To situate this school among the other major currents, you can continue with the different approaches in systemic therapy explained simply.
The reference book to go deeper: Familles en thérapie (“Families and Family Therapy”), by Salvador Minuchin.
The full presentation — in French — can be watched below.
How to cite this article
Besse, J. (2024, April 14). The structural approach in systemic therapy explained simply. Complexe Systémique. https://app.complexe-systemique.com/en_GB/articles/the-structural-approach-in-systemic-therapy-explained-simply
To go further
- The Milan school of systemic family therapyThe model founded in Milan by Mara Selvini-Palazzoli and her team, another major current of systemic therapy.
- The Rome school of family therapy: understanding the symptom differentlyA singular way of thinking about the symptom, at the heart of the Rome School.
- The therapy that destabilizes: Carl Whitaker's symbolic-experiential approachWith Carl Whitaker, an approach that destabilises families the better to set them in motion again.
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