Role of the Therapist

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A structural family therapist (SFT) is one who assists the family is learning how to communicate with one another so they can overcome the barriers in communication in effort to resolve problems. As Nichols writes, the goal is structural change, and problem solving is more the result that takes place when this occurs. They help families communicate about how they are communicating! :) SFT’s help families identify where the communication breakdown might be and allow the individuals to respond in a variety of ways, and improve on their interactions with each other. Structural Family Therapy comes from a strengths perspective so often times when a family is oppressed with conflict and perhaps years of baggage it will be important for the SFT, as an objective opinion, to be able to draw out strengths and empower the family system to work in these strengths they possess to make positive changes. The Minuchin Center for the Family briefly explains, “A well functioning family is not defined by the absence of stress or conflict, but by how effectively it handles them as it responds to the developing needs of its members and the changing conditions in its environment” (2012). SFT’s are goal oriented. The SFT is able to observe how the family is interacting and make structural assessments; they then promote action within the family based on the goals outlined in the beginning. To read more about how a Structural Family Therapist accomplishes this, see Techniques and Interventions.