Instructions: You must then post 1 reply of at least 400 words. Reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbooks, research and peer-reviewed journals, and books.
Student’s Post (to reply to): “These two concepts, family patterns and family constellations so important when it comes to understanding family systems theory as this is where the counselor can get a better understanding of how the individuals function within the family. These concepts can help the counselor dig deeper within the individual such as looking at the larger context of relationships, behaviors, and generational influences.
When thinking about the term of family patterns the way that I see them is the behavior patterns that are being repeated, the emotional interactions, the way of communication, and coping strategies within the family. Family patterns also makes me think about how they may include how the family members express their emotions, handle conflict, and demonstrating love. Some family patterns can be healthy and be supportive while others can be dysfunctional and bring emotional distress. One example may be that there is a big conflict in the room and instead of discussing it the pattern is avoiding it and refusing to discuss their emotions. Other patterns can be things such as substance abuse, divorce, anxiety, depression, or even unhealthy communication. These patterns are one the biggest structures of families and one of the most important things when trying to understand patterns. Even when you go to your friends house you can see the type of pattern that their family brings and how its different from yours.
Family constellations refer to the overall structure and relational organization within a the family system. This is the birth order, family roles, emotions, alliances, and interactions between the family members. Understanding family constellations are important because this can explain how the person fits within the family dynamic in a larger scale. This can be understanding the roles of the children in the family such as one being the rebellious child while the other one is a caregiver. Understanding the families roles can help dig deeper into what stressors they may have within the family. It is also important as this can explain the events of divorce, remarriage, trauma, etc.
It is important for family counselors and therapists to asses family patterns because these are usually what shapes the clients and how they think, behave and relate to others. Example is if a client grows up in a home that emotions are ignored therefore the child can struggle with emotional intimacy in adulthood. Being able to asses the family patterns and roles within the family can help develop coping strategies and help build better communication skills if needed. According to Mcgoldrick et al. (2020), emphasizing the patterns can help provide insight with recurring emotional and relational difficulties that affect present functioning. Also it is important for them to understand these as it can help identify the strengths within the family such as their loyalty, support system, and faith.
Understanding these concepts in a Christian worldview makes me remember of how this can bring healing relationships, forgiveness, and breaking unhealthy generational cycles The bible talks about how important healthy relationships, wisdom, and restoration with family is. Understanding the family system helps therapists approach clients with empathy, and understanding of behaviors that are learned from relational experience’s.
Reference
McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Petry, S. (2020). Genograms. W. W. Norton. to an external site.
Note: No AI. Rubric Attached.
