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
- 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
By the end of the talk the participant will be able to:
-
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 AfricaCognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · South AfricaClinical Issues CPD talks · South AfricaAustralian Counselling Association CPD talks · South AfricaArticle · Tips to ensure neuroplastic changes in therapy · South AfricaArticle · Anti-psychotic Medications · South AfricaArticle · Do functional addicts exist? · South AfricaFairy Tales CPD talks · South AfricaHuman Rights CPD talks · South AfricaSexuality CPD talks · South AfricaTalk · Nature vs. Nurture: Understanding the link between psychology & genetics · South AfricaTalk · Working with Posttraumatic Stress: Current & contextual considerations · South AfricaTalk · CBT with Children & Adolescents: Depression · South AfricaUploading an Article · South AfricaTerms of Use · South AfricaPrivacy Policy · South AfricaCalabash · AustraliaCalabash Articles · AustraliaCalabash Partners · AustraliaCalabash Contributors · AustraliaCalabash Speakers · AustraliaCalabash Talks · AustraliaCalabash Sign up · AustraliaCalabash Sign in · AustraliaAllied Health Professionals CPD talks · AustraliaClinical Issues CPD talks · AustraliaAustralian Counselling Association CPD talks · AustraliaArticle · Diffusion Tensor Imaging · AustraliaArticle · Useful Resources for Neuroanatomy · AustraliaArticle · Napping in Adults · AustraliaSchool setting CPD talks · AustraliaNew Zealand CPD talks · AustraliaPerinatal Mental Health CPD talks · AustraliaTalk · Group psychology: Psychoanalytic & sociological considerations · AustraliaTalk · Sexuality: Freud & beyond · AustraliaTalk · Phases 2 & 3 of CBT for Eating Disorders (CBT-E): Addressing body image · AustraliaAbout Calabash · AustraliaUploading an Article · AustraliaHow It Works · 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 ZealandChildren, Teens & Families CPD talks · New ZealandNeurodiversity CPD talks · New ZealandAustralian Counselling Association CPD talks · New ZealandArticle · Schema Therapy · New ZealandArticle · Common Medications for Mood Stabilization · New ZealandArticle · How my therapist missed my diagnosis: a patient’s experience of PND · New ZealandFathers CPD talks · New ZealandDyslexia CPD talks · New Zealand CPD talks · New ZealandTalk · Emotionally dysregulated clients: Supporting Families - 2. Accepting feelings & changing behaviour · New ZealandTalk · HPCSA Guidelines on the use of Social Media · New ZealandTalk · Combined Child-Parent Model of Assessment & Therapeutic Communication · New ZealandTerms of Use · New ZealandAbout Partners · New ZealandPrivacy Policy · 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 talks · United KingdomNeuro CPD talks · United KingdomPsychodynamic Therapy CPD talks · United KingdomArticle · Psychiatric Medications for Children, Pregnant Women and the Elderly · United KingdomArticle · On Hope · United KingdomArticle · A Guide to Websites for Health Care Professionals · United KingdomLaw CPD talks · United KingdomSocial media CPD talks · United KingdomTrauma CPD talks · United KingdomTalk · Anxiety Disorders: Differential diagnosis & treatment · United KingdomTalk · Neuropsychological Syndromes · United KingdomTalk · Combined Child-Parent Model of Assessment & Therapeutic Communication · United KingdomUploading an Article · United KingdomUploading a Talk · United KingdomHow It Works · 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 StatesImago Relationship Therapy CPD talks · United StatesDialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · United StatesTherapy Modalities CPD talks · United StatesArticle · Therapy Dogs · United StatesArticle · Anti-psychotic Medications · United StatesArticle · An Intro to Marketing for Healthcare Professionals · United States CPD talks · United StatesCoaching CPD talks · United StatesPersonality CPD talks · United StatesTalk · The Enneagram's Conflict Styles and the Impact on Relationships · United StatesTalk · The Importance Of Psychoeducation in ADHD Intervention · United StatesTalk · Language Discordance and the Associated Ethical Dilemmas · United StatesAbout Partners · United StatesUploading a Talk · United StatesFrequently Asked Questions · United StatesCalabash · CanadaCalabash Articles · CanadaCalabash Partners · CanadaCalabash Contributors · CanadaCalabash Speakers · CanadaCalabash Talks · CanadaCalabash Sign up · CanadaCalabash Sign in · CanadaImago Relationship Therapy CPD talks · CanadaMood Disorders CPD talks · CanadaDialectical Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · CanadaArticle · Tips to prevent non-payment · CanadaArticle · Euphoria: what every therapist and parent needs to know about the show every teen is talking about · CanadaArticle · Reflections on working with couples when you only have one in the room · CanadaDreams CPD talks · CanadaCreative Ability CPD talks · CanadaCerebral Palsy CPD talks · CanadaTalk · ADHD Screening: The process & benefits · CanadaTalk · Introduction to Schema Therapy: Part 2 - maladaptive coping modes & basic therapeutic techniques · CanadaTalk · Interventions for ADHD That Go Beyond Medication: Regulating the ADHD child · CanadaUploading a Talk · CanadaFrequently Asked Questions · CanadaTerms of Use · Canada
Psychologist in Sydney