Family Therapy: A systems theory and structural family model
South Africa · CPD courses & CPD points · Health Professionals
This module provides a practical and accessible introduction to conducting family therapy through the lens of systems theory and structural family therapy. Presented by Salisha Maharaj, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Tygerberg Family and Adolescent Unit, the session equips practitioners with both theoretical foundations and real-world applications for working effectively with families.
Salisha begins with core principles of systems theory - emphasising how individuals function within broader relational systems - before introducing key elements of structural family therapy, such as family subsystems, boundaries, hierarchies, and patterns of interaction. The talk is enriched with a compelling case example, demonstrating how theory can guide each stage of family therapy, from assessment and formulation through to intervention.
This presentation addresses a crucial skills gap for many clinicians trained primarily in individual work. By developing systemic thinking, practitioners are better able to understand relational patterns, avoid over-pathologising individuals, and facilitate more meaningful, lasting change.
Sections
- General introduction to Family therapy
- The difference between individual and family therapy
- Key Ideas of structural family therapy
- Case example
- Limitations of structural therapy and conclusion
Learning Outcomes:
-
Identify the core concepts of systems theory and their application in family therapy.
-
Describe foundational elements of structural family therapy, including subsystems, boundaries, and hierarchy.
-
Understand how to assess and formulate client presentations through a systemic lens.
-
Gain confidence in conducting structured family therapy sessions using clear frameworks.
-
Enhance clinical decision-making by distinguishing between individual and systemic sources of distress.
Calabash · South AfricaCalabash Articles · South AfricaCalabash Partners · South AfricaCalabash Contributors · South AfricaCalabash Speakers · South AfricaCalabash Talks · South AfricaCalabash Sign up · South AfricaCalabash Sign in · South AfricaClinical issues CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaNeurodiversity CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaMood disorders CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaArticle · Therapist Accountability in Work with Children · South AfricaArticle · The core of 12 Step meetings – an insider’s view on why they are so effective · South AfricaArticle · Why conventional hearing tests are not sufficient · South AfricaEmotional Intelligence CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaTechnology CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaDialectical Behaviour Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · South AfricaTalk · Psychotherapy with Anorexic Patients · South AfricaTalk · Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Theory and Background · South AfricaTalk · Let's Talk about Gender and Sexuality · South AfricaTerms of Use · South AfricaPrivacy Policy · South AfricaUploading an Article · South AfricaCalabash · AustraliaCalabash Articles · AustraliaCalabash Partners · AustraliaCalabash Contributors · AustraliaCalabash Speakers · AustraliaCalabash Talks · AustraliaCalabash Sign up · AustraliaCalabash Sign in · AustraliaNeurodiversity CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaCognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaOther allied CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaArticle · On Becoming a Play Therapist · AustraliaArticle · Why home treatment for dizziness is not a good idea · AustraliaArticle · DBT and CBT: Demystifying Differences · AustraliaPsychoanalysis CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaSelf care CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaNeonatal therapy CPD courses & CPD points · AustraliaTalk · Understanding and Managing Central Auditory Processing Disorder · AustraliaTalk · Neuropsychology of HIV: Effects and Assessment · AustraliaTalk · ADHD Screening: The process & benefits · AustraliaHow It Works · AustraliaAbout Contributors · AustraliaUploading an Article · AustraliaCalabash · New ZealandCalabash Articles · New ZealandCalabash Partners · New ZealandCalabash Contributors · New ZealandCalabash Speakers · New ZealandCalabash Talks · New ZealandCalabash Sign up · New ZealandCalabash Sign in · New ZealandCognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandPsychodynamic Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandTherapy Modalities CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandArticle · Colinda Linde on No Shows in Therapy · New ZealandArticle · A GP's perspective on Mental Health Referrals · New ZealandArticle · Using a Process to Drive Language Development · New ZealandDementia CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandUnited Kingdom CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandBereavement CPD courses & CPD points · New ZealandTalk · CBT with Children and Adolescents: Generalized Anxiety Disorder · New ZealandTalk · Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety: Clinical understanding & techniques · New ZealandTalk · Remediation and Accommodation for Executive Function Difficulties · New ZealandPrivacy Policy · New ZealandHow It Works · New ZealandUploading an Article · New ZealandCalabash · United KingdomCalabash Articles · United KingdomCalabash Partners · United KingdomCalabash Contributors · United KingdomCalabash Speakers · United KingdomCalabash Talks · United KingdomCalabash Sign up · United KingdomCalabash Sign in · United KingdomPersonality CPD courses & CPD points · United KingdomImago Relationship Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · United KingdomTherapy Modalities CPD courses & CPD points · United KingdomArticle · SAPC Dialogues: Introduction to Public Mental Health · United KingdomArticle · Working with Impilo: The Experience of Assessing Parents for Adoption · United KingdomArticle · Reflections on working with couples when you only have one in the room · United KingdomViolence CPD courses & CPD points · United Kingdom CPD courses & CPD points · United KingdomSpeech therapy CPD courses & CPD points · United KingdomTalk · Neuropsychological Syndromes · United KingdomTalk · Emotionally dysregulated clients: Supporting families - 1. The distress cycle · United KingdomTalk · Understanding and Managing Central Auditory Processing Disorder · United KingdomFrequently Asked Questions · United KingdomAbout Partners · United KingdomAbout Contributors · United KingdomCalabash · United StatesCalabash Articles · United StatesCalabash Partners · United StatesCalabash Contributors · United StatesCalabash Speakers · United StatesCalabash Talks · United StatesCalabash Sign up · United StatesCalabash Sign in · United StatesDialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesOther allied CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesMood disorders CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesArticle · How my therapist missed my diagnosis: a patient’s experience of PND · United StatesArticle · COVID-19 and Stigma · United StatesArticle · Tips for student supervision · United StatesBlank CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesOnline therapy CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesConfidence CPD courses & CPD points · United StatesTalk · Insomnia: Causes, Features and Management · United StatesTalk · CBT with Children and Adolescents: Generalized Anxiety Disorder · United StatesTalk · Phobia: Putting Exposure into Practice · United StatesTerms of Use · United StatesAbout Calabash · United StatesAbout Partners · United StatesCalabash · CanadaCalabash Articles · CanadaCalabash Partners · CanadaCalabash Contributors · CanadaCalabash Speakers · CanadaCalabash Talks · CanadaCalabash Sign up · CanadaCalabash Sign in · CanadaChildren, teens & families CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaDialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaCognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaArticle · On Becoming a Play Therapist · CanadaArticle · Multilingualism & Speech Therapy · CanadaArticle · Apps, Language & Learning: What you need to know · CanadaAdoption CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaBoard Exam CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaHuman Rights CPD courses & CPD points · CanadaTalk · Helping Teens Navigate Big Emotions · CanadaTalk · Working with Couples: Relational Ethics Part 1 Theory · CanadaTalk · Personality Disorders: Narcissistic & Schizoid Presentations · CanadaHow It Works · CanadaAbout Calabash · CanadaAbout Contributors · Canada
Psychologist in Sydney