Models of Family Therapy in Psychology

Models of Family Therapy

In identifying the models of family therapy and the theories involved, the film used as the case study is “The Birdcage Film” of 1996. Nichols’ film, released 26 years ago, remains strikingly relevant in its comical sensibility. This Birdcage film was a worldwide mainstream comedy that grossed about two hundred million dollars internationally. However, in Hollywood’s mid-nineties, the film was radical, with a great emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. “It assisted an audience devastated by ten years of living daily with the fear of the disease.

Family Theories

Family theories and therapies will be analyzed to appraise, set goals and objectives, intervene, and evaluate therapy that works with this family using a theory from the course material (BAKER, 2015). Eighteen years later, La Cage aux Folles and the version from America was released. Its main focus was on how the films disrupt the old depictions of family in various ways, exposing society’s attitude toward family and gender in the process.

According to the reaction to the culture war, the film’s comedy is particularly smart in the way it merges hilarious escapades with satirical intent, aiming at both homophobia and the masculinity issue as it navigates the infiltration of conservatism into a liberal setting. Senator Keeley’s political views are the punch line of the film, including his annoyance with Clinton’s accepting gays in the military sector and the notion that homosexuality is making the United States weak. The Birdcage mocks the anxiety about the depletion of so-called “cultural capital” in the United States in the 1990s when Pat Buchana declared opposition to the Clinton administrators and perceived liberal moves.

The idea that family is an expressive therapy in family systems revolves around systems theory. It applies to families, systems of thinking that examine a system’s elements in connection to the whole, indicating that conduct is informed by and closely linked to the functioning origin of a particular family (Hanet, 2012).

Systems of family therapy may be useful for families with disputes among themselves, their unit, and those in need of advanced assistance to have the issues resolved, as in the case of Birdcage. There is a need to seek family therapy for the family that involves two men who are gay. One of them is the father of the groom, who intends to marry the daughter of a senator in the United States.

Therapy for Family Systems Development

This system is based on Murray Bowen’s theory that states people are closely associated with their social networks (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2012). Like his counterparts, his main interest was in developing more scientific and objective therapy methods as another way to traditional diagnostic methods. Using inappropriate language and frameworks, Bowen felt that every therapist had faced difficulties in their households. Being aware of this may enable therapists to normalize human behavior in treatment.

Many mental and behavioral health issues have been treated using this therapy system (Hanet, 2012). In general, it could be considered an acceptable option for issues that appear to be related to or manifest within the family of origin. Families, couples, and individuals have all benefited from family systems therapy. Schizophrenia, alcohol and substance abuse, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders, and eating and food-related issues.

Goals and Objectives of Family Theories

According to systems theory, a family indeed rules that have an identity that is oriented. The relations of family members usually follow organized, established patterns based on the family structure; these patterns allow everyone to learn what is expected of them and others in family transactions (Hanet, 2012).

Such unspoken norms define, govern, and aid in maintaining how well families work as a unit. They underpin family traditions and disclose family values, assisting in forming family roles that are in line with these values and, as a result, ensuring the stability of family relationships.

Rules are usually passed down over generations and can have a strong cultural component. Counseling related to marital and premarital gives couples into treatment to help resolve interpersonal disputes instead of treating those involved separately.

This theory focuses on the role of the families that are not functioning well in schizophrenia hence setting the stage for learning patterns of interactions in other families. Schizophrenia research assists in establishing the role of the dysfunctional family in schizophrenia and allows the stage for the movement of child guidance.

The intervention of Family Theory

Armand teaches Albert how to pass straight in “La Cage aux Folles,” a touching and amusing sequence in the Birdcage film. The identical sequence in “The Birdcage” reminded me of an episode from the 1956 film “Tea and Sympathy” described in “The Celluloid Closet” in which the teen protagonist is instructed to act more manly (Clark et al., 2012). It is a heart-breaking spectacle for any homosexual viewer now, illustrating how LGBT individuals felt compelled to conform and hide in the 1950s.

Mr. Nichols’ failure to recognize the tragic undertone of the episode in “The Birdcage” makes it much more unpleasant to watch since he directs it in a wide fashion that makes it appear harsh and heterosexist. It continues to worsen as the play develops. Part of the humor in the original film was that the father-in-law was the leader of some League of Decency; Ms. May transforms him into Senator Keele, who leads a far-right, homophobic Christian Coalition-style organization.

This adjustment is critical, at least for LGBT viewers. Armand and Albert debase themselves in front of this Pat Buchanan stand-alike, Armand sweating bullets in fear of revealing his cover. Albert, finally unveiled as a man, obsequiously delivering reassurances that he believes in family values. Additionally, the plot of this film involves Val’s father, who is called Armand and is popularly known to be a club owner who is gay.

The other character in the plot is Albert, who is in a gay relationship with Armand. However, Armand tries to hide this relationship to please Barbara’s father, whose daughter wants to marry Val. In this scenario, there is evidence of lies and deception since it is seen all over in the family that Armand convinces the future in-laws that he is upright (Clark et al., 2012).

Val, whose father is Armand, was born due to a heterosexual experiment from long ago and has been raised in the apartment where Albert and his father live. Barbara, whose father is a United States Senator, makes Armand pretend that he is a Greek diplomat to cover up for his gay character. This builds up farce and mixes up. By doing this, they agree to put a straight front which is not true, so that his son can introduce his fiancée.

The film as a press kit, as noted by Mr. Nichols, is that “The Birdcage” is a comedy about what makes a family and the extremes to which individuals who love each other will go. This claim indicates the film’s shortcoming: Mr. Nichols and Ms. May don’t see that Armand and Albert’s character is not admirable, that what they offer Val is nothing less than their openness’ integrity.

According to filmmakers, Senator Keeley is a man no self-respecting gay couple wants in their household or as their son-in-law. If Val, who comes out as absolutely callous in this scene, doesn’t realize how badly he has mistreated his parents and he never apologizes, it’s because neither Mr. Nichols nor Ms. May does (Clark et al., 2012). Their attitude seems that the poor child had to grow up with gay parents, which is the least they can do for him. This is not what we expect a family to be.

On the other hand, Mr.Nichols and Ms. May don’t seem to believe that these two men and their son are a family. Ms. May has Armand hand over a signed palimony pact to Albert to illustrate the men’s mutual love. They’ve been married for twenty years and have a child together. Palimony, a form of kinship paid to the former partner in a non-marital relationship, is a romantic gesture in Hollywood.

The film’s value system is perfectly summed up in the final shot, which shows the heartless son and his bride at their wedding (Clark et al., 2012). The portrayed message said that ‘‘The wedding of a straight couple is more important than the dignity of a gay couple.’’

However, “The Birdcage” affirms several prejudices, such that gays are marginalized, superficial animals with a lot of disposable wealth and partnerships that are not as strong as straight marriages. Even exceptional veterans like Mr. Nichols and Ms. May fail to explore the truly hilarious and dramatic possibilities of “tales that have never been told about characters who have always been there,” as Mr. Maupin puts it.

Virginia Satir, who was among the first in family therapy in 1972, focused on communication to help a family understand unwritten laws that created conflict. Some families, for example, ban discussion of certain topics such as the drinking problem of the mother or the father’s absence that is unexplainable from home on certain nights, or a brother who is unable to read or the sister’s behavior of promiscuity and, as a result, do not to take practical ways to deal with the issues (Clark et al., 2012).

Other households restrict open displays of rage or irritation toward each other, for instance, “Stop! If you can’t say something pleasant to each other, don’t say anything at all”; “If you can’t say something good to each other, don’t say anything at all.” Others encourage reliance by using statements like “Never trust anybody but your mother or father” or entanglement “Keep family issues inside the family,” putting children at a disadvantage. They attempt to interact with the outside world. Therefore the most appropriate theory for the family in the film is ‘‘The Child Guidance Movement,’’

Unstable households, according to Satir, follow dysfunctional rules. In line with this approach, she sought to assist such families in becoming aware of the unspoken restrictions that stifle growth and maturity. She believed that once the rules were found, the family may amend or remove obsolete, inappropriate, or unnecessary to promote individual self-esteem and overall family functioning (Clark et al., 2012).

Each family member learns what is acceptable and expected through rules and routines. Family functioning is regulated and stabilized by rules. Consider each member of your family in the present, and note down any expressed or unspoken rules that apply to them in the area provided. “Teenage sons should flourish at arithmetic,” “Teenage daughters should flourish in language arts,” and so on.

The Child Guidance Movement Theory

In the evolution of family therapies, two streams deserve to be mentioned: clinical development and thought (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2012). This theory emerged in the twentieth century based on emotional problems based on certain assumptions that if the problems in the family began when some were a child, then having earlier treatments and identification could lead to the prevention of psychopathology.

This means that early experiences in the family play a great role in determining the behavior of a person later. In the film, Birdcage, it is possible that Val growing up around his father, who was gay, had an impact on his behavior ever since he was a child. Therefore, childhood guidance clinics are necessary for children like Val to prevent emotional disorders. Although these clinics were not readily available in the past, they are widely spread in the United States.

Group Dynamics and Group Therapy

Early family therapists like John Bell, group dynamics, and small group behavior functioned as paradigms of family functioning (1961). Therapy relating to family was categorized under therapy group for these therapists, except that the participants were not strangers (Barth, 2017). These therapists believed that families are fundamentally natural groups. The therapist’s role was to stimulate contact, enhance communication, clarify the group process, and analyze interpersonal dynamics, just like any other group therapy leader. Bell coined the term “family group therapy” to describe his method.

The practice of group therapy has been on since the twentieth-century beginning. Still, the demand for therapeutic services during and soon after World War II motivated its rapid expansion. The Austrian psychiatrist Jacob Moreno, who combined theatrical and therapeutic approaches to establish psychodrama about 1910, is credited with utilizing the group process in psychotherapy.

Moreover, his psychodramatic techniques are still in use today recreated various interpersonal circumstances that may have contributed to the patient’s psychological troubles in the therapeutic process (Barth, 2017). He employed a stage where the patient may act out key life experiences in front of an audience as a therapist/director. These psychodramas are based on true stories. Many people often, but not always, acted as significant figures in the patient’s life. At times, the director may encourage the patient to switch roles with one of the actors to understand better how another person saw them. For many family therapists, investigating a family’s interpersonal give and take and the resolution of conflicts through psychodrama made this model a logical fit.

The concept is that a small group can operate as a carrier of change and strongly influence people who have chosen to be considered members to practice group therapy. A therapy group is more than just a gathering of strangers, more than the sum of its parts; it is a meaningful and genuine unit in and of itself (Barth, 2017).

Another way to say it is that the group is a collection of jobs and roles rather than people. An excellent illustration is the Tavistock form of group therapy: The group is treated as a mentally ill patient suffering because specific functions aren’t being completed properly. The leader of a Tavistock group facilitated the group in functioning cohesively. So that the group may do more productive work in a more balanced, coordinated, and mutually supportive way, it is clear what group therapy with a broken family entails.

Some Particular Benefits of Group Therapy over Individual Therapy Elaboration closely resembles ordinary life. Instead of hearing about it from the patient and maybe obtaining an inaccurate view, the therapist witnesses the patient interacting with others (Barth, 2017). It adds another informational layer about their usual method of dealing with people. It helps to reduce social isolation. By listening to others, the patient learns that they are not alone and thus may be encouraged to let go of feelings of loneliness and self-consciousness. In the film, The Birdcage, it is essential to have group therapy for the entire family to receive a positive influence compared to individual therapy. This therapy can properly be utilized in this case scenario.