How to Coach Yourself and Others Coaching Families | Page 154

Excerpt from an Article by Lorraine M. Wright and Wendy L. Watson, University of Calgary:
Systemic family therapy owes its origins to the brilliantly creative and innovative clinics team of M.
Selvini-Palazzoli, L. Boscolo. G. Cecchin. and G. Prata (1978 - 1980). These four Italian psychiatrists have
had an enormous impact on the conceptualization and practice of Family Therapy in the I98Os in North
America and throughout the world.
Systemic family assessments focus on family relationships, family development, alliances/coalitions and the
process of communication between family members. The three fundamental principles necessary to
conducting a systemic interview are hypothesizing, circularity, and neutrality (Selvini-Palazzoli et al.
1980). All three of these principles are interrelated.
Assessment
The assessment process is based on the formulation of hypotheses by the therapist about the family
organizational patterns connected to the problem.
The therapist first gleans information about a family
- From intake data.
- From previous experience with other clinical families, and
- From various theories and research regarding the presenting problem or the "type" of family
and then generates one or two initial working hypotheses (Fleuridas. Nelson, Nr Rosenthal, 1986).
Family development theories can be useful in pointing the therapist to "tasks" and attachments that may be
taxing the presenting family.
Throughout an interview, questions are asked in order to validate or invalidate alternative hypotheses. Based
on the information gathered from the family, the therapist modifies or alters his or her hypotheses about the
problem and about the family and continually moves to a more "useful" understanding of the family.
In our view, the hardest work that occurs in systemic therapy is in developing systemic hypotheses.
Linear hypotheses are so much easier to generate, particularly judgmental linear hypotheses (e.g. a mother is
too controlling of a father). Systemic hypotheses connect the behaviors of all family members in a
meaningful manner (Tomm, 1984b). (For example, a father shows little initiative or concern regarding his
future. The less concern he shows, the more concern his wife shows: eventually, she directs him in what to
do. The more she directs him, the less he directs himself. And vice versa).
"Circularity" refers to the therapist's ability to develop systemic hypotheses about the family based on the
feedback obtained during questioning about relationships (Selvini-Palazzoli et al., 1980). Circularity is
based on Bateson's (1979) idea that "information consists of differences that make a difference"
(p. 99).
Differences between perceptions/objects/events ideas/etc. are regarded as the basic source of all information
and consequent knowledge. On closer examination, one can see that such relationships are always reciprocal
or circular. If she is shorter than he, then he is taller than she. If she is dominant, then he is submissive. If
one member of the family is defined as being bad, then the others are being defined as being good. Even at a
very simple level, a circular orientation allows implicit information to become more explicit and offers
alternative points of view. A linear orientation on the other hand is narrow and restrictive and tends to mask
important data. (Tornm. 1981, p. 93)
Circular questioning involves the ability of the therapist to conduct the assessment on the basis of obtaining
information about relationships (Selvini- PalazzoIi et al, 1980).
Linear questions tend to explore individual characteristics or events (e.g., How long have you had angina'!),
whereas circular questions tend to explore relationships or differences (e.g., Who in your family is the most
confident that you can manage your heart problem? (Selvini-PalazzoIi, et al., 1980; Tomm, 1981, 1985).
If the therapist wants to validate or invalidate the hypothesis that a family is having trouble launching the
eldest daughter, a useful circular question, directed to other children in the family, could be, "What will be
different in the family when Susan leaves home'!"

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