Subsystems In The Family Case Study

1. Discuss the different types of subsystems in families, and discuss the type(s) of subsystems in your family of origin
At one time or another, for just a brief moment of for a lifetime everyone belongs to a family unit. As an individual or as a group of individuals each plays a specific role as a part of a subsystem within the family unit. The family system “itself is a subsystem of larger units” (Fishman & Minuchin, 1981, p. 16). Subsystems can be thought of as a means of grouping so as to better understand a person’s role within the family unit. In the immediate nuclear family model the subsystems include “the individual, the spouse, parental, and sibling” (p. 16). Each family subsystem has a certain role to play and depending on a

What does the term joining mean according to Minuchin?
According to Fishman and Minuchin, (1981) “Joining…is the umbrella under which all therapeutic transaction occur” (p. 31). Fishman & Minuchin postulate that to understand the family system the therapist must become a part of the family, or “join” them in order to understand their idiosyncratic behaviors and to comprehend their unique language (p. 29). Via evocative empathy and joining the therapist conveys that he is vicariously a part of their family and wishes only to disrupt dysfunctional relationships; consequently ameliorating the family as a whole.
3. Discuss the different positions of proximity as it relates to joining. How would you use one or all of these positions in counseling? What is the value of learning these types of

With the close position the therapist may take sides with one family member against another family member (p. 33). The strongest tool to be utilized here is confirmation where both positive and negative attributes are pointed out thus validating an individual. With the median position the therapist does not take sides, but instead joins as a devil’s advocate. The therapist must be careful not to acquire tunnel-vision while “gathering data” using a technique called “tracking” (p. 34). If a therapist chooses to take the disengaged position he still joins the family, but as a coach and not as a player. He is still involved but takes on more of a supervisory role by displaying his expertise about family systems creating situations and challenges that will promote healthy function and growth from the family unit (p.