IndexAbstractIntroductionHistoryCurrent LiteratureSimilarities to Other TheoriesPersonal IntegrationConclusionReferencesAbstractThis research aims to identify prominent figures, historical and current events, hypotheses, theory development, concepts, and techniques related to structural theory. It will describe how to integrate biblical scriptures with the writer's faith and family counseling approach to help the family who is in need. In the paper, the intent is to demonstrate the familiar knowledge, concepts, and approach to this theory and how it relates to other major theories used in the counseling field. This research is divided into two parts; the first part will show the historical content; the second part will show the reflections and interpretation. It will show a Christian vision of the concepts related to structural theory. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Introduction Structural family therapy is characterized by an emphasis on family structure and organization. Systems theory is a broad term in common use, incorporating general systems theory and cybernetics, referring to the view of network units or elements that make up the organized whole. In this research, the intent is to demonstrate knowledge of structural theory in history and the present by exploring different techniques, concepts and hypotheses. Structural theory can be applied to any family, but the healing process for the Turner family is the best solution. When conceptualizing the family as one part, the family's relationship with other parts such as the community, peers, and socioeconomic status are important for intervention. The theory consists of three main parts: the overall family system, the influence of the hierarchical organization of the family and the interdependent functioning of its subsystems. HistorySalvador Minuchin is a leading figure of the Structural Model. He was raised in Argentina by European immigrant parents. He worked in the United States for about 18 months training as a child psychologist, then returned to Israel to work with Holocaust victims. Structural family therapy came to the forefront of family therapy during a period of research and emphasis on theory when Minuchin's Wltwuych school project became a groundbreaking study of inner-city slum families. Therapists such as Bowen, Satir, Haley, and Minuchin recognized that individuals were best understood in the context of their families and systems. In structural family therapy, it focuses on the entire family system and how it functions as a whole and its subsystems all working together. The family system may or may not be effective in bringing positive things into the family, but it works for each individual family as a way of functioning. The developed approach, structural family therapy, is realistic and problem-solving oriented. Therapists and different professionals licensed to help in the family's treatment were prevalent in the 1960s. Minuchin challenged current norms by involving the entire family in the session. Other leading figures in structural theory are Dr. Charles Fishman, Harry Aponte, and Lindblad-Goldberg, who are from Philadelphia. They have worked with families all over the world with economically needy families. For example, families living in the countryside in Russia. They will work with low-income families to show them different ways to deal with their current situations. According to Minuchin (1985), the fundamental principles of systems theory are 1) any system is a wholeorganized; objects within the system are necessarily independent; 2) the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; 3) systems are composed of subsystems; 4) patterns in a system are circular rather than linear; 5) complex systems are composed of subsystems; 6) systems are homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the stability of their models; 7) evolution and change are inherent in open systems. When therapists use this theory and therapy, it is important to note that systems influence people in all areas. In his work as a therapist, Minuchin has taken responsibility for strengthening the family system, developing appropriate family boundaries, and modifying family dysfunction using restructuring techniques such as family bonding, observing the ways in which families relate to each other and to the therapist, and challenge their functioning in insightful and innovative ways. The family is a system connected with other subsystems which can be the community, other parts of the family and the fundamental elements of family life. Minuchin believed that his role was to be “responsible” in the process of therapeutic change and encouraged others to be responsible as well. This is important to note because the family hierarchy is who is in charge. If the hierarchy does not take on the role of responsibility, the family could be doomed. Structural models emphasize the context of the family and use spatial and organizational comparisons to define problems and identify solutions. Structural therapy is one of the training models of family therapy. He helped pave the way for other family theories to exist with his groundbreaking studies. It approaches all human behavior with the intent of identifying relationships that normalize human relationships. (Wycoff and Cameron, 2000). Structural theory focuses on relationships in the family context. When working with families, several interventions will work using this model. The main determinants of the structural theory are the integrity of the family system, the influence of the hierarchical organization of the family and the interdependent functioning of its subsystems. The different factors of this theory are operational rules, definition of boundaries, complementarity of functions and identification of some subsystems to name a few. Clearly defined boundaries between subsystems help maintain separation and at the same time emphasize belonging to the overall family system. Defining roles in therapy helps uncover things during sessions, such as overly involved members of a subsystem, and helps create boundaries to help improve the family system. When a family comes to therapy with concerns about their child's behavior, the therapist can use a structural therapeutic intervention at the family and macrosystem levels. Structural theory will work just like any other theory, but success depends on how the therapist or counselor uses therapeutic processes and interventions. The effectiveness of any theory-based treatment model depends on the adherence and quality of nonspecific treatment processes (Sheehan and Friedlander, 2015). Some of the interventions used in therapy are structural mapping, imbalance, challenging unproductive assumptions, unity and adaptation, and raising awareness that the system needs to change. Identifying boundaries such as sibling subsystems or parental subsystem helps with several areas of family dysfunction. Family systems use power, alignments, and coalitions to make family activities familiar and can be defined for thesystem. When therapists or counselors use this type of theory, they join a family system and adapt to its affective style. This is the initial phase where the therapist learns how that particular system works and how they interact with each other. The therapist observes, listens, distinguishes different things in the family so that the family can make recommendations or changes. This also allows the family to see that the therapist is a helpful outside person who looks in and somehow becomes a part of the family with them. A fundamental premise of his Structural Family Therapy is that individuals are seen in the context of their family; families are seen in their community context (Rockinson-Szapkiw, et. al., 2011). What if a person feels they don't have a community to be seen in? For example, in the role of the army, where many different people come to serve the country, it can be seen as a family structure. The military has several subsystems that a person can be a part of. In my experience, I was part of a battalion, which is a group of companies (people) that has a primary purpose in the military. There were many of them and within these companies they had their own rules in addition to the main rules that everyone had to follow. Current Literature Therapists are not immune to this disruption and may need to make changes to their practices and ultimately their theories to address the global problem. changes that occur in people (Rockinson-Szapkiw, et. al., 2011). Keeping up with the growing changes in the family counseling field is critical for counselors to maintain their effectiveness in family systems. In this changing world, marriage and family therapists, while continuing to consider the family, will need to move beyond the individual, family, and community (emic) to a universal or global (etic) orientation in theory, research, and practice. theory of counseling and psychotherapy. practice. In the current literature, only five family therapy models were used by more than 1% of all articles in some reviews (i.e., in addition to EFT, Bowen/transgenerational, cognitive marital therapy, contextual therapy, and structural therapy). For emerging scholars, such as MFT graduate students, theory tends to be less emphasized in academic research training. It is prevalent in further research needed to continue evolving the field. The findings suggest that family therapy researchers and scholars have increasingly considered the connection between theory and empirical research in recent years, thus indicating encouraging progress when it comes to theory and practice. Family members may lose perspective, show the effects of immediate situations with past events, and feel overwhelmed or cut off from painful feelings and contact. (Walsh, 2003). Family counseling has become more necessary than ever with the growing problems of our youth. With events happening in the news, with people being killed by police, gang violence, and drug epidemics in families, family counseling is needed now more than ever. So in the community, the bigger picture is that it's damaging our foundation as a unit. Being cut off from situations that happened in the past not only hinders growth, but provides an opportunity to overcome outdated thought patterns. Similarities to Other Theories Therapists such as Bowen, Satir, Haley, and Minuchin recognized that individuals were best understood in the context of their families and systems (Rockinson-Szapkiw, et. al., 2011). The following aspects of the therapeutic relationship have been distinguished: bond, empathy, consensus on objectives,positive consideration, congruence, gathering feedback from the patient, repairing relationship ruptures, avoiding countertransference, and adapting to the individual patient. By learning structural theory, the entire world is made up of systems, which form the basis for other theories. With his revolutionary ideas and concepts such as boundaries, disengagement, and enmeshment, Minuchin profoundly influenced the fields of psychology, psychiatry, counseling, business, and education. Structural, strategic, and cognitive behavioral family therapy focuses on breaking or changing family patterns. In contrast, structural family therapy does not examine unconscious family situations as psychodynamic theory does. Minuchin's later influences included Adler's work on the positive and goal-oriented social aspects of individuals; the concept of family constellation; and the ability to make changes (Wycoff and Cameron, 2000). This shows the growing work in the structural theory of the family and the way in which work counseling always evolves in the field of enriching the family system. Personal integration I am Christian. I have hope and faith that have helped me get through difficult times where my family system couldn't. Christian beliefs and values ​​are crucial resources in times of family stress and provide hope in the midst of despair (Balswick and Balswick, 2014). My faith helped me get through the tough times of being a single parent to not knowing where my next meal would come from. I have been through several things in my life that have caused depression, anger, despair and confusion when it comes to my family life. The effects of stressors can be positive and supportive or negative and destructive. I have experienced things in my life that have shaken my faith, but knowing that I believe in God has grounded me. Learning this theory, doing my family's genogram, and observing the types of things my family goes through, gave me perspective on how my family is the way it is and what it would take to become healthier. I moved away from home, by faith, when I went into military service in 1999. I had to learn to live without my family around. Even though it was difficult at times, I found it worth it. Positions in the social structure (e.g., participation in community organizations, involvement in social networks, and immersion in intimate relationships) increase the likelihood of accessing support which in turn provides the protective function against distress (Lin, Ye and Ensel, 1999). I had to change my family structure so I could continue to be productive. Due to moving from Baton Rouge, LA and being discharged from the military, I had to change my thought processes when it came to my family that I left behind. I looked for family in friends and in the neighborhood where I lived. Learning to be in the present so I could survive without my family was difficult, but I survived the difficult times that lay ahead. According to family systems theory, a healthy family environment is flexible enough to adapt to cultural and developmental challenges while supporting the growth of each individual member. I believe this is true because in my life my family has not been able to adapt to the changes that have occurred in my adult life. The changes in my adult life have shown me that I can make changes in my family system. Changing the way I think, do things, and show love for my family is completely different from what I learned growing up. I have changed for the better and show a model of what I would like to see in minechildren. My family was a wounded family. The suffering family tends to control rather than empower its members. Learning that people can learn from pain and continue to thrive has been a turning point in my life. Putting God at the center of your life will change everything. The turning point comes when you receive God's unconditional love (Balswick and Balswick, 2014). I have always known about God and his love, but only as a child. Learning this lesson as an adult is a completely different thing. Most families find strength, comfort, and guidance in adversity through connections to their cultural and religious traditions. As Christians we are taught to honor our parents, and in systems theory, we are also taught to respect the patriarchal system. Even though I learned to honor my parents, I didn't feel loved at the time. I learned that they only did their best when I got older. Moving away from my dysfunctional family system and relying on my faith in God made me realize that I can truly do anything through Christ Jesus. The paradox of resilience is that the worst moments can also bring out the best in us. Going through generational things has taught me that we can step out and dare to be different. It took a lot of mistakes and bumps, but I learned that when you pray for something, God always answers. It may not be the answer you are looking for, but it is the answer God has for you. In Scripture, he talks about God and answers prayers. Scripture says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18, ESV). I believe that God puts us through all things for a reason, and with that, I believe I have found my purpose. I was taught to go to church, learn God's way, and follow His word. Growing up in the family system in which I was raised, I was taught to “do what I say and not what I do”. This was very destructive to me as a child. I still believe that I should follow God's way, but it should be something that is practiced and not just preached by parents or elders. So where does this fit into my family system? I believe God has a purpose for all of us, and that purpose for me is to pioneer all the dysfunction in my family system. In family systems theory as it relates to my family, the boundaries are unclear. I've lived alone since I was 19, but when my mother is around, she doesn't seem to want to give up the patriarchal role she had when I was little. Because of the power struggle in this aspect, we often have communication problems. My mother seems to have the old way of thinking that because she is the eldest, what she says is fine, but as an adult I feel that my mother should not have a patriarchal role in my family. According to family systems theory, a healthy family is flexible enough to adapt to developmental and cultural challenges while supporting the growth of each individual member. Conclusion There is great concern in the field of mental health and social services that interventions capable of making a fundamental difference to the lives of individuals, couples and families are not finding their way into regular practice. This is why it is important for the world to normalize the field of counseling. If it were normal for people to seek help, the world would be a better place. We as people should want to try new things to help the very people who need it. The family system is what needs help. The advice provided by a systems theory can be educational as well as rewarding. Although some families are destroyed by crises or chronic stress, what is, 8(1), 47-57.