Structural family therapy: advantages, disadvantages, and influencing factors

Structural Family Therapy (SFT) was developed by Salvador Minuchin in the latter half of the 20th century and is still considered a viable and effective therapy approach today (Connell, 2010, p.1). It involves encouraging healthy proactive change within the family, with the therapist acting as the agent of change and taking into consideration the multicultural perspectives within a family (Connell, 2010, p.1). Structural family therapists believe that problems within the family are the result of a dysfunctional family structure, therefore, correcting the structure should alleviate the problems (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p.78).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Because of its focus on family structure and the roles of individuals within that structure, SFT has proven a promising means of treatment for many childhood and adolescent problems, especially when used to treat young adults who still maintain close contact with their families (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p.87). The therapy appears to be effective when dealing with young adolescents experiencing substance abuse, delinquency, or psychosomatic disorders such as anorexia (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p.90). However, its use for couples and marital problems has not yet been proven effective. There is also little that the therapy can offer to people who are not in close contact with their original family or in one-on-one situations.

Size and Age of Family Members

The size of a family can be particularly problematic for a therapist using SFT. Each family has its own structure and that could become more difficult to determine when there are a number of people all playing different roles within the structure. Similarly, age can become an issue with the therapy, especially if the roles have become so ingrained that the structure of the family becomes difficult to alter. However, SFT has been shown to be highly effective in treating drug addicts and anorexics, even when they are up to thirty years old if the parents are in charge of controlling the addicts' behaviors (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p.88).

Influence of Personal Characteristics

Many different personal character traits can have an influence on SFT. For example, many children are capable of assuming a leadership role within the family when a parent is away. This is perfectly acceptable, assuming the child relinquishes the role when a parent has returned, re-establishing the original hierarchy within the family (Hecker & Wetchler, 2003, p.70). However, a child who insists on maintaining a leadership role can be problematic in therapy. Similarly, those who should be leaders but are instead timid by nature can have trouble establishing the leadership they need for the family to function successfully. A therapist needs to know how each individual defines him or herself within the structure of the family (Connell, 2010, p.2).

Collaboration with Therapists from Different Theoretical Orientations