Gurukul lutheran theoloGical colleGe and

research institute

subject
MarriaGe and faMily counsellinG

assiGnMent
MarriaGe and faMily counsellinG:
introduction to faMily therapy

SUBMITTED TO: Rev.Dr.P.JOICE ESTHER

SUBMITTED BY: P.YABEZ

DATE: 02:09:2024

The family systems Theory: Murray Bowen (1913-1990)

Introduction:

"Family Systems Theory" refers to the work of Murray Bowen, M.D., of Georgetown
University. Over the past three decades Dr. Bowen has been a pioneer in the study of the
human family. It’s the earliest ideas of how family systems functioned was Murray Bowen's

1
family systems theory (abbreviated as "Bowen theory" from 1974. Although it has rarely
received attention in Australia and New Zealand. Bowen family therapy is still heavily
influenced in North America. Consisting of eight interlocking concepts, Bowen Theory
addresses the emotional forces that shape the functioning of nuclear and extended families.
Many of Bowen's concepts may have affected certain local family therapists without the
relationship being explicitly stated. Bowen’s theory has much similarity with the general
systems theory that rules the engineering field. His early professional context makes him
realise the defect of providing treatment to schizophrenic children away from their living
environment. He “That which is created in a relationship can be fixed in a relationship.” 1

Development of the Model:

He completed training as a psychiatrist and initially used the psychoanalytic model in

his practice. He had begun involving moms in the examination and care of those with
schizophrenia at the Menninger Clinic in the late 1940s. After moving to the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 1954, he put his devotion to his personal psychoanalytic
study on hold as he started to appreciate the aspects of families as systems rather than
maintain an individual focus. At the NIMH, Bowen expanded the number of family members
who participated in his studies and psychotherapy sessions with schizophrenic patients. He
transferred to Georgetown University in 1959, w state of persistent anxiety or reactivity may
be established if family members lack the mental capacity to reason out their answers to
relationship issues and instead frantically respond to perceived emotional demands.

The Theory:
In order to reduce anxiety, Bowen concentrated on the patterns that emerge in
families. The feeling of either too much closeness or too much distance in a relationship is a
major cause of worry in families. The level of current external stress and the sensitivity to
particular themes that have been passed down through the generations will define the level of
anxiety in each given family.

The main goal of Bowenian therapy is to reduce chronic anxiety by,

1. facilitating awareness of how the emotional system functions

2. increasing levels of differentiation, Eight interlocking concepts:

Bowen developed eight interlocking principles that guide family systems theory and therapy
based on his experience of clinical practice and research.

Differentiation of self:
It refers to the person’s psychological ability on experience of intellectual and
emotional separation. It led him to suggest that varying degrees of fusion are discernible
1 Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, (New York: Aronson, 1978), 35-39.

2
 in all families. 'Differentiation', by contrast, is described as the capacity of the individual
to function autonomously by making self-directed choices, while remaining emotionally
connected to the intensity of a significant relationship system. 2 The focus of Minuchin's
concept of enmeshment, which centres on a shortage of boundary between sub-systems, is
different from Bowen's conception of fusion.3 Nuclear Family emotional Process:
In the 'nuclear family emotional system', Bowen focuses on the impact of
'undifferentiation' on the emotional functioning of a single generation family. He asserts
that relationship fusion, which leads to triangling, is the fuel for symptom formation. 4
Each spouse enters into the marital relationship with specific inner emotional forces that
are developed during the years. Lack of differentiation in the emotional leads to the
emotional process with the spouse in different forms: fusion with the spouse, reactive
emotional distance, over marital conflicts, projection of the problem into the children.
This means lower the differentiation higher the problem.

Family Projection Process:

In the previous two categories the couple relationship is the focus of anxiety without it
significantly impacting on the functioning of the next generation. By contrast, the family
projection process describes how children develop symptoms when they get caught up in
the previous generation's anxiety about relationships. The immaturity, lack of
differentiation, anxiety, fears transferred to the children directly or indirectly. Mother
child, father child, sibling enmeshment etc.

Emotional cutoff:

Technically it refers to the emotional distancing observed between the generations. A cut-
off can be established by both physical distance forms and also the forms of the emotional
withdraws. He also distinguishes that between the ‘Breaking away’ from the family and
‘Growing away’ from the family. Going away is viewed as part of differentiation it leads
to follow the independent life of the adult members. A cutoff can be defined as more like
an escape: people try to describe them from their family origin.

Multigenerational Transmission Process:

This type of process refers to the idea of the family emotional process is transmitted
through several generations. The family experience is a multigenerational drama in which
all members are actors. The identified patient carries out with him his/her burden of
multiple generations. The family myth, stories, secrets, images are multigenerational

process. The identified person thus identified with lower differentiation causing serious
persona and interpersonal disfunctions.5

2 Kerr and Bowen, Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory, (New York: Norton, 1988), 58-60.
3 S. Minuchin, Families & Family Therapy, (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1974), 56-59.
4 Kerr and Bowen, Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory, (New York: Norton, 1988), 188.
5 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 137.

3
1. Sibling Position:

Bowen considered that sibling position could provide useful information in

understanding the roles individuals tend to take in relationships. Bowen was especially
interested in which sibling position in a family is most vulnerable to triangling with
parents. Recognizing the sibling rivalry to elaborate the experiences and relational
dynamics in the family change depending upon the sibling position. The oldest, the
youngest, the middle and the only child are specially discussed in this regard. The sibling
position creates an extreme position that creates an extreme important to understand
personality and functions.6

2. Societal emotional problem:

The emotional process of the larger society not only affects the individual but also the
families. The crime and conditions in the society also affects the family and made them to
think in a anxiety. The communities got affected when there is natural calamities which
undergoes family a tremendous emotional tension and stress, whether it affects them
directly or indirectly but the families undergone a change in it. Hence there is a link
between the social emotional and individual differentiation.7

Goal in Bowenian therapy:

• Reducing the level of anxiety in the family interaction.

• Reduce the intensity of the Pathology symptoms
• Decrease the level of emotional friction between the families
• Increase the level of differentiation an autonomy
• Increase the level of self-expression
• Helps to resolve the problems of the family from origin experience.

Therapeutic Techniques:

• Helping the couple to define and clarify their relationship.

• Questioning- helps the family member to explore on their roles
• Works on de- triangling process to reduce the defective emotional process • Teaching
the positive emotional system to repair the current system
• Genograms helps the IP to move beyond.
Critique of Bowen’s model:
The breadth of Bowen's approach of family therapy's evaluation, which goes beyond
current problems, may be what makes it unique. Its emphasis on emotional processes across
generations and on how people differ within their systematic setting gives family therapists a
multi-level perspective typically only available to patients of psychodynamic therapies. In

6 Kerr and Bowen, Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory, (New York: Norton, 1988), 210.
7
George Varghese, A Study Book On Counselling… 137.

4
order for therapists to remain connected to the client family system, Bowen's model pays
attention to the emotional contact between them and their clients and anticipates that the
therapeutic process must be applied in some way to the therapists' own life.7

While prominent feminist therapists like Betty Carter and Harriet Goldhor Lerner have
embraced Bowenian treatment, it has also come under criticism from a feminist standpoint.
However, they maintained that there is only one mention of "fathers" and none of "mothers"
in the Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. Women are vulnerable to having their socially
assigned roles pathologized because patriarchal assumptions about male and female roles and
family structure are not addressed or challenged. Women are frequently characterized as
being "over concerned," and their relational, active role in families is too frequently
characterized.8 Conclusion:

In giving an overview of Bowen's model, this paper shows the formulation of family process.
My aim has been to summarise Bowen's core concepts and to give a flavour of how this
influence the focus of therapy. One needs to be mindful however, of potential pitfalls when
using a family of origin model. Bowen's focus on the distant to solve the proximate may take
families on therapeutic paths which go beyond their request for the shortest possible road to
symptom relief. Perhaps what is most distinctive about Bowen's theory amongst systemic
therapies, is that it directs therapists to consider their own roles in their families of origin so
that they can personally experience the theory.

Bibliography:

Bowen, M. Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. New York: oxford, 1978.

Kerr, M. and Bowen, M. Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory. New
York: Norton, 1988.

Minuchin, S. Families & Family Therapy. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press, 1974.

Varghese, George. A Study Book on Counselling, Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy,

2022.
Young, P. Families with adolescents, in F. Herz Brown, Reweaving the Family Tapestry. New
York: Norton, 1991.

7 Young. P, Families with adolescents, in F. Herz Brown, Reweaving the Family Tapestry, (New York: Norton,
1991), 105.
8 Young. P, Families with adolescents in …, 105.

5
6
 The Conjoint Family Therapy: Virginia Satir (1916- 1988)

Introduction:

Conjoint family therapy is characterized as family therapy in which the therapist meets with
at least two generations of the family, such as parents and children. 9 In this essay, we will
briefly examine Virginia Satir's narratives and the theory that she produced.

Virginia Satir:

Virginia Satir was a charismatic leader in the early development of family therapy. Born in
Wisconsin in 1916, she first became a schoolteacher before obtaining an advanced degree in
psychiatric social work from the University of Chicago. After nearly a decade as an agency
clinician, she opened a private practice in Chicago. Virginia Satir was an international
lecturer, trainer, and family therapist, and helped establish the Mental Research Institute in
Palo Alto, California. In 1964 she published Conjoint Family Therapy (1975), a ground-
breaking work that is considered to be a classic in family therapy literature. In Over her
lifetime, Virginia Satir worked with more than 5000 families, sometimes providing group
family therapy to multiple families at a time. Until her death in 1988, she remained at the
forefront of family therapy movement.10

Development of the Theory:

Good communication is a key component of emotional expression, and Satir played a

significant role in highlighting the value of consistent communication styles in family
interactions. People use their full body when speaking, she observed. Communication
involves more than simply words; it also involves nonverbal cues including tone of voice,
posture, and facial expression. Words and body language frequently convey very different
things. Such contradiction sent conflicting signals. Satir emphasizes the significance of
congruence in every communication as a result.11

Key concepts of Conjoint Family Therapy:

The Human Person:

The individual person is someone who “understands, values, and develops his body finding
beautiful for others. The person who is real and honest must be beautiful for himself and
others. He s eligible to take risk for any situation and to be creative to find ways what is new
and different. Thus, this symbolizes the person as a physically healthy, mentally alert, feeling
lovely, playful, authentic creative being.13

9 Eva C. Ritvo and Ira D. Glick, A Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Counselling, (Washington: American
Psychiatric Publishing Inc., 2002), 159.
10 Linda Seligman and Lourie W. Reichenberg, Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy: System Strategy and
Skills (New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Ltd., 2011), 410.
11 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 151.
13
George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 152.

7
Family

From the family only the effective creative persons are born and produced. Family is
the system that contributes to the personal growth of the person with the formulation of both
positive and negative aspects in the individual life. The positive aspects leads to strength
while the negative leads as a contribution of disfunction in the family. The functional family
needs a systematic approach of the living is characterized as

Self-worth:

self-worth is important in day-to-day experience it examines the individual freedom,

spontaneity and positive affirmations regards to a Growing sense of self- importance. The
different age people like 2-years, 20-years, 40 years, and the 90 years need a constant growth
in their stages of growth and constantly feels like that they liked by their neighbors, family
members, husband and wife. The self – worth is needed how we behave to our family
members in their time of crisis and bad situation. We express often a little on the light things
and expressed our expression big way when something goes wrong. The need to affirm and to
appreciate in the family is significant.14 communication:

The communication needs an effective interpersonal interaction. It helps to create a mutual

respect between others and in the family. When the mutual respect is in our communication it
paves the way for the openness in our communication. Here the self- worth is needed it
should determine our communication. The positive approach leads a good respect but the
negative approach leads a defective pattern of communication. The patterns of
communication determine the quality of marriage and family relationship. Satir’s major
contribution is her theory on communication and the quality of relationships.15

Family Rules:

The rules in the family makes one grows in a Positive behavior and making conscious of one
in knowing the limitations and boundaries of the behavior. Rules are always needed for the
family members for letting the family members to know about what are the expectations and
obligations. It helps them not to trap into the situation of the anarchy. By creating a family
rule, it leads us not to go through the disorder that prevails in the family setup. On the other
hand, some families have a strict order of military management and rigid expectations. There
is no freedom for individual expression.16 Family’ social system:
A family’ relationship is not processed within the family itself but it should always
connect with the people around us and various institutions. This means that our connection
should be near and far relationships. The family therapist Murray Bowen suggests that we are
influenced by our four generation depths. The family system is determined by mostly the
religious affliction and faith experience. It helps the person to grow continue in Inter personal
and intra personal relationships.17

8
14
Susan L. Jones, Family Therapy: A Comparison of Approaches, (Michigan: R. J. Brady Company, 1980), 78.
1515
George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 152.
1616
George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 151.
17
George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 151.
Objectives in Therapy:

• Increase the capacity for effective communication.

• Increase the sense of thoughts in awareness about thoughts feelings and actions.
• Enhance the potential for growth and self-development.
• Helps in built the relationships.
• Helps to persons to cope with the demands due to changes.
4.5. conclusion:

In conclusion, Virginia Satir's Conjoint Family Therapy remains a significant and enduring
contribution to the field of family therapy. Her emphasis on communication, selfesteem, and
the family as a system continues to influence therapists and counsellors in their work with
families. Her legacy lives on as her ideas continue to help families heal, grow, and thrive.

Bibliography:
Jones, L Susan. Family Therapy: A Comparison of Approaches. Maryland: Robert J. Brady
Co.,1980.
Ritvo, C Eva. and Ira D. Glick, A Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Counselling.
Washington: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc., 2002.
Seligman, Linda and Lourie W. Reichenberg. Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy:
System Strategy and Skills New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Ltd., 2011.

Varghese, George. A Study Book on Counselling, Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy,

2022.

The Structural Family Therapy – Salvador Minuchin (1921-)

Introduction:

The structural family therapy is a unique theoretical and therapeutic system for working with
dysfunctional families and gained much attention in the U.S families last 50 years. 12 Salvador
Minuchin is the originator of this therapy born an brought up in Argentina and later moved to
the United States. For a short while he worked as a doctor in Israeli army camp. In 1950 he
moved to united states and studied child psychiatry and in 1954 he began to study
Psychoanalysis. As a professional he worked with some families and children and got some
influence on Jay Haley who developed strategic family therapy. Later, he observed and made
a relation with families and in 1981 he began his own Centre for family therapy in New York
City.

Development of the Theory:

12 Minuchin, Salvador. Family therapy and techniques, (Cambridge: Harvard university Press, 1981), 25-35.

9
 From the concept of structural family therapy, Minuchin brought a new direction for family
therapy and theory specially focused on the marginalized and weaker sections in the
community.13 He gave a opinion on the psychoanalytical passive response in the analysis of
the family issues that deals with the problem raised by the Latinos and Blacks. Thus, he
approached the families to understand and work which he called the structural Family
Therapy. He had a long professional and clinical association exposure that provided him a
motivation for developing his own model. He mostly targeted with the group of people and
concerned with the black and the Latino American families. Minuchin had a long
relationship with the Jay Haley with him he opened a leading Centre for family therapy and
clinic.

Characteristics of a healthy family:

He defines that healthy family is that which has system of boundaries and development
appropriately. The system should need to respond to the emotional, intellectual and relational
needs of the members. It must also flexible to the family members that should create
openness, warmth, respect and mutually supportive interactions. The system should be strong
enough to address the issues of the family inside and outside. Through the Emotional and
engagement support we an identify that the family is healthy and sustainable. 20 Key
Concepts of Structural Family Therapy:

The key concepts developed by Minuchin and his associates shows the depth of the theory
and its intentions through various relevance working with the family in diverse conditions.

Family Structure:

The structural family system therapy defines that every family has a structure which remain
as a whole system and one may find it with a number of subsystems within those systems.
The nature of the system depends upon the positive a negative impact on its members. Family
that has an open and flexible structure are likely to maintain their systems with

seriousness and try to recover quickly. The structure is shaped by rules and regulations within
the system that contributes the emotional and relational experience. It is very important to
note down the rules, power and roles are also important aspects of the family structure.14

Subsystems:

According to Minchin, in every family there are subsystems which are smaller units within
the system and have specific functions. These subsystems formed in context of interpersonal
interactions, emotional connecting, and to perform various tasks. The subsystems are spouse,
parental and sibling. each subsystem has its own rules and regulations that are view in the
needs of its own member. Each subsystem form their own alliances to support the
withstanding emotional understanding threat or unpleasant situations.15 Boundaries:

13 Hebert Anderson, The Family & Pastoral Care, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984), 80.
20
Hebert Anderson, The Family & Pastoral Care..., 85-95.
14 Minuchin, Salvador. Family therapy and techniques, (Cambridge: Harvard university Press, 1981), 50-55.
15 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 170-175.

10
 Boundaries are defined as physical and psychological factor that separate persons from one
another and organize them in some specific order. On this Minuchin describes three types of
boundaries: clear, rigid, and diffuse. Clear boundaries may be found in the family system that
has openness, warmth, mutual respect and freedom. Rigid boundaries may be found in
enmeshed families. The boundaries describe the nature of the contact between family
members and between the subsystems.16

Goal of therapy:

The primary goal of the structural family therapy is to wok with dysfunctional families with a
view to help them towards dysfunctional qualities. It helps them to modify the value of the
family systems. This also seriously focus on the nature of the family interactions which could
be seriously defective. Helps the family to work with appropriate boundaries. 17 Role of
therapist in structural therapy:

The primary function of the therapist is to approach the change in the structure of the family
which means changing its structure and subsystems. It helps to interact the family to act in
healthy and productive ways. The therapist should wok collaboratively with families not as
specialists or experts but as a counsellor or coach to help the families to change the structure
of the family. Each family has the capacity to solve their problems by changing their family
systems and do it as a constructively.18

Techniques and process in structural family therapy:

Diagnosing:

During the early phase of the process the therapist, through his/ her proactive engagement
able to find the defects in the interactional patterns in the family system and need to be
modified in order to change and experience it.

Joining:

The therapist should make attempt to join in the family which is a key factor for the
therapeutic process. In this process the therapist should show interest in their personal
concerns. The therapist should find about the details of the members of the family system,
subsystem and personal concerns of the family. This can be achieved by the process of
joining.19 Accommodating:

The therapist should attempt to make dramatic attempts to accommodate in the family
system. In this process he/she makes personal adjustment and emotional adjustment with the

16 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 175.

17 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling...,180.
18 Minuchin, Salvador. Family therapy and techniques..., 65-80.
19 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2022), 170-175.

11
family and makes to adjust fully to the environment of the family. This can be accomplished
as a serious therapeutic alliance with a serious work.20 Mapping:

Mapping helps as a method to draw the diagrams that describes detail in family that shows
experience, relationships, boundaries, afflictions and coalations. It helps to recognize the
family relationships especially the defective ones and helps them to change their relationship
patterns in attachments and detachments.21

Reframing:

Some kind of distorted perceptions and defective notions in the number of the family that
causes dysfunctions. The technique of the reframing helps the person to change in their
perception, value, attitude, or belief system.29

Conclusion:

In summary, structural family therapy provides a comprehensive framework for

understanding and addressing family issues by examining and reshaping the family structure.
By targeting the underlying dynamics within the family, this approach can help families
develop healthier relationships and communication patterns. However, it is important to
remember that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the choice of therapeutic
approach should be based on the unique needs and preferences of the family in question.

Bibliography:

Kapadia, K.M. Marriage and Family in India. Calcutta: Oxford University Press,1996.

Minuchin, Salvador. Family Therapy Techniques. Cambridge: Harvard University Press,

1981.

Varghese, George. A study Book on Counselling. Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy, 2002.

Relevant Family Therapeutical Approaches in India

20 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 175.

21 George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 175.
29
George Varghese, A Study Book on Counselling..., 175.

12
Introduction:
Family is similar to the human body in that each component affects the others. Being a
core component of Indian society, having a family is both wonderful and also a major
challenge. Everyone in the family, including children, couples, and adults, has both positive
and challenging family experiences. HoweverThe origins of family therapy go back roughly
50 years, but the idea and practice have not gained much popularity, particularly in a country
with such a diverse population in terms of culture and religion as India. When offering the
services, there may be challenges and cultural differences. In order to find answers that go
beyond any limitations, there is a strong desire for family members to be included in the
delivery of treatments and mental health services.22 Characteristics of Indian Family:

The word "family," which refers to a group of people or persons who live together and share
social, biological, and psychological ties, is derived from the Latin word "familia." The idea
and significance of family varies depending on who you asked. Therefore, the term "family"
is used to refer to any group of people who take care of one another and identify. The Indian
families dwelling in rural and urban areas also face complex problems arising not only from
urbanization and migration but also from poverty, natural disasters, crime and other modern-
day challenges. The ongoing brain drain in younger population, emigration to abroad for
more lubricated jobs, tension of pursuing personal goals, increasing old age homes has led to
wide range of family problems as well as physical and psychological disturbances in the
family. The institution of marriage holds a very important position in Indian society and is
mostly arranged by the family. 23 Family therapy:

Family therapy is a form of therapy that is designed to address the problems that influence
the psychological as well as mental health of family and its members. It seeks to reduce
conflicts and stress between the members of the family. Sholevar defines family therapy as
“any use of a family-focused intervention to bring out behavioural and/or attitudinal changes
in one or more family members”. It is the branch that deals with the family and considered to
be the most direct branch of psychotherapy. Family therapy is often used as a complementary
treatment approach for many physical and mental health conditions. Family therapy can be
beneficial when individuals are unable to cope with their problems and feel stuck.24

Effectiveness of family therapy:

Family therapy is affective in problems related to family as well as the individual such as
divorce, alcohol and drug addiction or any other behavioural problems. It is often used in
conjunction with treating an individual's problem that is affecting the entire family. Family
therapy addresses solely on addressing individual problems and recognizes that as a system,
individual problems affect other members of the family. Therefore, it is expected that therapy
should include all members in therapy.25

22 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India, (Calcutta: Oxford University Press, 1966), 56-65.
23 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India…, 56-65.
24 S. John Augustine, ed., The Indian Family in Transition. (New Delhi: Vikash Publishing Home, 1982), 85-90.
25 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India, (Calcutta: Oxford University Press, 1966), 65-70.

13
Relevant family therapies in India:

The major observation to make from Indian rural communities is that many families believe
solving problems is the responsibility of families, with their strong values, and the awareness
of the solutions to their problems. It is interesting to not that most issues that are seen in
families are issues concerning all families.

Couples/marital therapy:
The term couples therapy is often interchangeably used with marital therapy in India.
Usually, an eclectic frame work is used in marital therapy because of the interconnected
issues in marriage and couples’ families. Usually, couples therapy focuses on individuation
from families of origin, creating healthy boundaries with families of origin, separation of
spousal and parental roles, identifying common life goals, effective communication skills,
coping skills, sharing responsibilities, financial management conflict resolution, separation in
cases of divorce, and dealing with sexual, emotional, verbal and physical violence. Partner-
orientated work on live-in and same-sex relationships is also gaining momentum in Indian
cities. There are also partners who are in courtship meeting therapists for assurance of their
decisions, indecisiveness, forgetting the past as well as fear of intimate relationships.26

Sex therapy:
Sexual difficulties in Indian couples are seen as a part of wider marital problems or
preexisting sexual problems or lack of knowledge and high expectations about sexual
performances. Sex therapy is practised by marital and family interventionists in India on
issues such as non-consummation, premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, problems
commonly caused by stress, tiredness and other environmental and relationship factors.
Adolescents are also found to be reporting for intervention to deal with guilt over sexual acts
and guidance for remaining sexually safe while active.35

Parent management training:

Parents are taught to increase positive interactions with children, to reduce coercive parenting
practices and to follow age-appropriate parenting practices and manage specific
psychological issues of children. Many children with early onset conduct problems are found
to have parents with significant personal problems including low income, single parenthood
status, marital conflict, parental mood disturbance, and high-level stressful life events. These
kinds of families are benefited through marital and family interventions while simultaneously
learning how to

manage their child's behavioural problems. Families of children with autism, mental
retardation, ADHD or learning disability have separate parenting programmes which are
educational and therapeutic in nature.27

26 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India…, 75-85.

35
K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India…, 80-86.
27 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India, (Calcutta: Oxford University Press, 1966), 65-70.

14
Issues in practicing family therapy in India:
The consideration of principles, points and potential barrier may lead to wider
acceptance of family therapy in mental health services India, as well as descents of other
nations. It is important to identify these factors with some common threads and themes
running through the culture at large in Indian population. There are a number of reasons why
family therapy and counselling services are deemed of lesser significance and perceived as
negative as other health-related issues in India. The stigma, blame and social embarrassment,
is related to serious mental, relational and emotional illness and other common problems, and
those who seek such treatment are basically flawed.28 Conclusion:

It's important to note that family therapy in India, as in other countries, is not limited to a
single approach. Therapists often integrate elements from various models to tailor their
interventions to the specific needs and cultural contexts of the families they work with.
Additionally, the choice of approach may vary depending on the presenting issues, the
family's preferences, and the therapist's training and expertise.

Bibliography:
Augustine, John S., ed. The Indian Family in Transition. New Delhi: Vikash Publishing
Home, 1982.

Kapadia, K.M. Marriage and Family in India. Calcutta: Oxford University Press, 1966.

28 K.M. Kapadia, Marriage and Family in India…, 100.

15