Family Therapy: A systems theory and structural family model

United States · CPD points & talks · Psychologists

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

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the talk the participant will be able to:

Calabash · South Africa
Calabash Articles · South Africa
Calabash Partners · South Africa
Calabash Contributors · South Africa
Calabash Speakers · South Africa
Calabash Talks · South Africa
Calabash Sign up · South Africa
Calabash Sign in · South Africa
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · South Africa
Clinical Issues CPD talks · South Africa
Australian Counselling Association CPD talks · South Africa
Article · Tips to ensure neuroplastic changes in therapy · South Africa
Article · Anti-psychotic Medications · South Africa
Article · Do functional addicts exist? · South Africa
Fairy Tales CPD talks · South Africa
Human Rights CPD talks · South Africa
Sexuality CPD talks · South Africa
Talk · Nature vs. Nurture: Understanding the link between psychology & genetics · South Africa
Talk · Working with Posttraumatic Stress: Current & contextual considerations · South Africa
Talk · CBT with Children & Adolescents: Depression · South Africa
Uploading an Article · South Africa
Terms of Use · South Africa
Privacy Policy · South Africa
Calabash · Australia
Calabash Articles · Australia
Calabash Partners · Australia
Calabash Contributors · Australia
Calabash Speakers · Australia
Calabash Talks · Australia
Calabash Sign up · Australia
Calabash Sign in · Australia
Allied Health Professionals CPD talks · Australia
Clinical Issues CPD talks · Australia
Australian Counselling Association CPD talks · Australia
Article · Diffusion Tensor Imaging · Australia
Article · Useful Resources for Neuroanatomy · Australia
Article · Napping in Adults · Australia
School setting CPD talks · Australia
New Zealand CPD talks · Australia
Perinatal Mental Health CPD talks · Australia
Talk · Group psychology: Psychoanalytic & sociological considerations · Australia
Talk · Sexuality: Freud & beyond · Australia
Talk · Phases 2 & 3 of CBT for Eating Disorders (CBT-E): Addressing body image · Australia
About Calabash · Australia
Uploading an Article · Australia
How It Works · Australia
Calabash · New Zealand
Calabash Articles · New Zealand
Calabash Partners · New Zealand
Calabash Contributors · New Zealand
Calabash Speakers · New Zealand
Calabash Talks · New Zealand
Calabash Sign up · New Zealand
Calabash Sign in · New Zealand
Children, Teens & Families CPD talks · New Zealand
Neurodiversity CPD talks · New Zealand
Australian Counselling Association CPD talks · New Zealand
Article · Schema Therapy · New Zealand
Article · Common Medications for Mood Stabilization · New Zealand
Article · How my therapist missed my diagnosis: a patient’s experience of PND · New Zealand
Fathers CPD talks · New Zealand
Dyslexia CPD talks · New Zealand
CPD talks · New Zealand
Talk · Emotionally dysregulated clients: Supporting Families - 2. Accepting feelings & changing behaviour · New Zealand
Talk · HPCSA Guidelines on the use of Social Media · New Zealand
Talk · Combined Child-Parent Model of Assessment & Therapeutic Communication · New Zealand
Terms of Use · New Zealand
About Partners · New Zealand
Privacy Policy · New Zealand
Calabash · United Kingdom
Calabash Articles · United Kingdom
Calabash Partners · United Kingdom
Calabash Contributors · United Kingdom
Calabash Speakers · United Kingdom
Calabash Talks · United Kingdom
Calabash Sign up · United Kingdom
Calabash Sign in · United Kingdom
Personality CPD talks · United Kingdom
Neuro CPD talks · United Kingdom
Psychodynamic Therapy CPD talks · United Kingdom
Article · Psychiatric Medications for Children, Pregnant Women and the Elderly · United Kingdom
Article · On Hope · United Kingdom
Article · A Guide to Websites for Health Care Professionals · United Kingdom
Law CPD talks · United Kingdom
Social media CPD talks · United Kingdom
Trauma CPD talks · United Kingdom
Talk · Anxiety Disorders: Differential diagnosis & treatment · United Kingdom
Talk · Neuropsychological Syndromes · United Kingdom
Talk · Combined Child-Parent Model of Assessment & Therapeutic Communication · United Kingdom
Uploading an Article · United Kingdom
Uploading a Talk · United Kingdom
How It Works · United Kingdom
Calabash · United States
Calabash Articles · United States
Calabash Partners · United States
Calabash Contributors · United States
Calabash Speakers · United States
Calabash Talks · United States
Calabash Sign up · United States
Calabash Sign in · United States
Imago Relationship Therapy CPD talks · United States
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · United States
Therapy Modalities CPD talks · United States
Article · Therapy Dogs · United States
Article · Anti-psychotic Medications · United States
Article · An Intro to Marketing for Healthcare Professionals · United States
CPD talks · United States
Coaching CPD talks · United States
Personality CPD talks · United States
Talk · The Enneagram's Conflict Styles and the Impact on Relationships · United States
Talk · The Importance Of Psychoeducation in ADHD Intervention · United States
Talk · Language Discordance and the Associated Ethical Dilemmas · United States
About Partners · United States
Uploading a Talk · United States
Frequently Asked Questions · United States
Calabash · Canada
Calabash Articles · Canada
Calabash Partners · Canada
Calabash Contributors · Canada
Calabash Speakers · Canada
Calabash Talks · Canada
Calabash Sign up · Canada
Calabash Sign in · Canada
Imago Relationship Therapy CPD talks · Canada
Mood Disorders CPD talks · Canada
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · Canada
Article · Tips to prevent non-payment · Canada
Article · Euphoria: what every therapist and parent needs to know about the show every teen is talking about · Canada
Article · Reflections on working with couples when you only have one in the room · Canada
Dreams CPD talks · Canada
Creative Ability CPD talks · Canada
Cerebral Palsy CPD talks · Canada
Talk · ADHD Screening: The process & benefits · Canada
Talk · Introduction to Schema Therapy: Part 2 - maladaptive coping modes & basic therapeutic techniques · Canada
Talk · Interventions for ADHD That Go Beyond Medication: Regulating the ADHD child · Canada
Uploading a Talk · Canada
Frequently Asked Questions · Canada
Terms of Use · Canada
Psychologist in Sydney