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Family counseling uses several approaches that aim to help the family institution. Family counseling/therapy differs from individual therapy since it focuses on the family as a unit and family dynamics. One of the approaches in family counseling is Minuchin's Structural Family Therapy Model, developed by Salvador Minuchin. The approach focuses on treating the underlying causes of the troubling behavior by looking at family subsystems that might cause dysfunction in the family unit. The subsystems include spousal, parental, siblings, and extended systems. If one of the subsystems intrudes into another, problems could arise. Minuchin argued that when the family structure is in harmony and the entire family is on the same page, problems can be avoided. For example, if there are established rules and routines that every family member observes and is comfortable with, the family would avoid any issues requiring therapy. The structural family therapy model investigates what might lead to challenges by looking at the family structure. This paper will review Minuchin's structural family therapy model, its development, leading figures, key philosophy and assumptions, and the approach's techniques. Leading Figures One of the leading figures in developing this approach was Salvador Minuchin. After studying medicine and child psychology, Minuchin realized that individual approaches where therapists used a sitting and listening approach did not provide efficient outcomes. Minuchin set out to develop the structural family therapy approach. Minuchin realized that family life impacted children and developed an approach that focused on identifying what elements in the family led to challenges requiring counseling (Minuchin, 2018). Other key figures have embraced and used the approach to further family therapy. For example, Jay Haley, Marriane Walters, and Lynn Hoffman have used the concepts developed by Minuchin to develop further approaches to family therapy (Vetere, 2001). They saw Minuchin's approach's efficiency and used some of his ideas to improve family counseling approaches. The structured approach has also witnessed praise from studies due to its effectiveness in therapy across the family (Weaver et al., 2013) Development of the Theory Salvador Minuchin developed the theory after observing that the common listening and offering advice approaches that were being used were not effective. Minuchin studied medicine and child psychology. After finishing his studies in child psychology in New York, Minuchin returned to the Middle East, where he worked as a child psychiatrist helping children with mental health issues (Minuchin, 2018). Minuchin then returned to the United States, planning to become a psychoanalyst. He received training and began practicing psychiatry. It was during this time that Minuchin started developing this approach. Minuchin observed that the training psychiatrists had received to provide treatment was ineffective in helping children from low-income neighborhoods (Minuchin et al., 2021). Sitting back, listening to children share their problems, and advising them on overcoming them had little success. Minuchin believed that the cause of these problems was not the child but the family unit and started studies and observations that would help change the family dynamics to help the children. Minuchin started working on ways to change therapists' approach to working with troubled children. According to Minuchin et al. (2006), Minuchin and his team studied new methods that involved asking teachers, supervisors, and colleagues to watch as they interviewed families and their children together. The feedback from these studies helped Minuchin and the therapists he

was working with develop the idea of active family therapy. The idea of active family therapy was born. Minuchin and his team of therapists realized that by dealing with the underlying issues facing a family, they could help each family member deal with any issue efficiently. Minuchin realized that understanding the family subsystems and ensuring they are working well could solve issues affecting any family member. Minuchin identified four family subsystems that needed to work together to ensure no issues. They are spousal (husband and wife), parental (parent and child relationship), siblings, and extended (extended family members) (Minuchin, 2009). When any member of these subgroups intruded into another group, the family would witness dysfunctionality. However, dysfunction and any associated wrangles would be avoided when all members agreed on the family structure's rules and routines. It formed the basis of the family structure therapy model. Identifying the course of the intrusion would help solve issues facing any family member, including children. Basic Assumptions and Key Philosophy One of the assumptions the approach uses is that families can solve issues affecting them with good competency. The assumption argues that families do not love wrangles and can solve their issues if they want to do it. Another assumption is that individual symptoms are usually the result of the family unit (Vetere, 2001). The assumption is one of the basics behind the structural family therapy approach. It argues that when one aspect of the family unit is not working as expected/agreed, some family members will be disgruntled and troubled. For example, if the parental subsystem is not treating the children well, children will develop issues. Another basic assumption is that all families want stability (Reiter, 2016). Therefore, they do not want situations where the entire unit or some family members face issues they cannot handle. The assumption is related to the other assumption that families can solve their issues. These assumptions were used to develop the structural family therapy model, which uses the family as a unit to help solve issues affecting its members. The key philosophy behind the structural family therapy approach is that family structure influences people's behavior (Baroncelli et al., 2022). Family is the primary and most important unit for people, especially children. Its structure profoundly impacts how they view life, behave, and the issues affecting them. For example, a child growing up in a dysfunctional family where the parents are usually violent and not supportive will have challenges in how they interact with other children. The child might also develop fear and anxiety, which might affect their mental health. Such issues are why Minuchin's approach encourages dealing with issues as a family. When the family is functioning well, problems and challenges rarely present. Additionally, a functional family unit will have the resources to handle issues that arise. How a family unit finds meaning in life, purpose, and value helps it manage its issues, a philosophy the structural family therapy approach argues is efficient (Lappin, 2019). Key Concepts One of the key concepts of the structural family therapy approach is that the family is organized into subsystems. Minuchin organized the subsystems into spousal, parental, siblings, and extended family. According to the approach, the subsystems are the basic units through which the family interacts. Another concept related to the subsystems is that there are boundaries that regulate the subsystems (Durtschi & Wetchler, 2014). The boundaries can be rigid, diffuse, or

healthy. Rigid boundaries are limiting and restrictive and allow for minimal contact, creating isolation for those outside the boundary. Diffuse boundaries are quite unclear and can lead to unhealthy behaviors. Family members lack limits on how interaction across the subsystems should be. Healthy boundaries involve clear, respectful, and healthy guidelines for all parties (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2021). These concepts help a family establish clear guidelines on how the family will function. For example, guidelines on how children are expected to behave help prevent children from interfering with the spousal subgroup and creating challenges. Lack of clear guidelines and boundaries might lead to issues that cannot be solved erupting. Techniques The structural family therapy model uses eight techniques or steps to achieve its counseling goals. The first step is joining and accommodating. The therapist builds a rapport with the family to gain trust. The second step is family mapping, where the therapist helps the family members visualize the family structure (Minuchin et al., 2006). The third step involves identifying and modifying the interactions that create problems to ensure they are eliminated. It is one of the most essential techniques in the approach. The fourth step involves helping the family look at the behaviors, events, or problems they perceive in a more positive approach. The step helps family members understand what can be done to eliminate these issues. The fifth step is boundary-making, where the therapist helps the family establish boundaries within the family's subsystems (Nichols & Tafuri, 2013). It ensures healthy boundaries are created to help ensure the family lives harmoniously. The sixth step involves the therapist supporting the most affected family members to ensure the balance is returned. It usually involves working with the affected family member more than others. The seventh step involves the family acting out their usual behaviors to help the therapist observe the issues and intervene. The final step involves the family working together to create a representation of the family system. It helps bring to light issues and family dynamics that might be unnoticed and be the underlying cause of issues (Nichols & Tafuri, 2013). These steps are not a must in every situation. They vary depending on the challenges faced and issues identified by the therapist. Similarities and Dissimilarities Minuchin's structured family therapy model shares some similarities and differences with Bowen's family systems therapy model. One similarity is that both approaches regard the family structural unit as essential in solving family issues. They consider family necessary in solving issues affecting any family member (Griffin & Greene, 2013). Another similarity is that both approaches explore the relations and interactions between the family. Despite these similarities, the two approaches are dissimilar in how they search for patterns. One dissimilarity is that the Bowen model explores a family's interactions and relations across generations, while Mnuchin's approach looks at the present family members (Griffin & Greene, 2013). Another dissimilarity is that Bown's model does not encourage family members to speak to each other during therapy sessions. In contrast, Minuchin's approach encourages communication and takes the role of a family member during therapy sessions. New Knowledge Acquired

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One key takeaway from completing this assignment is how interactions between family subsystems significantly influence how family members face issues. Learning about the boundaries that must be set across the subsystems was enlightening. It helped me appreciate that the family structure significantly influences the probability of some family members having issues that require counseling. For example, if there are no clear boundaries between the parental and sibling subsystems, trouble might arise between members of these subgroups. Another key lesson was that the family unit can create a healthy environment where respect, trust, and clarity are present. Such a unit would breed a healthy environment where problems can be easily identified and solved. It made me realize why most of the people who face issues requiring counseling and therapy intervention come from families facing some form of disagreements/challenges.

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