Table Of Contenti
Family Systems Theory Simplified
In this textbook for students and instructors of marriage and family therapy,
Bethany C. Suppes offers a refreshed perspective of family systems therapy
(FST), focusing on the importance of understanding its concepts and demon-
strating how models of marriage and family therapy can appear practically in
counseling.
In Part I, Suppes begins with a theoretical overview of FST, including the
history of development, key theorists, and defining core concepts. In Part II,
she focuses on application and explores nine key components of FST, identi-
fying how various systemic therapy models apply these concepts. The book
also covers the professional responsibilities of the systemic therapist and cul-
tural considerations for those using the theory professionally.
Primarily written for those having their first exposure to the ideas of FST,
it explains concepts in a language and structure that is more comprehensive
and culturally aware than existing literature, aiming to improve the therapeutic
process for both therapist and client.
Bethany C. Suppes is a marriage and family therapist and approved supervisor
based in Spokane, Washington, USA. She has experience as a clinical director
and assistant professor along with author and psychotherapist.
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Family Systems Theory
Simplified
Applying and Understanding Systemic
Therapy Models
Bethany C. Suppes
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Cover image: © Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Bethany C. Suppes
The right of Bethany C. Suppes to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or
hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
A catalog record for this title has been requested
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 54206- 1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 54208- 5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978- 1- 003- 08819- 6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/ 9781003088196
Typeset in Galliard
by Newgen Publishing UK
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Contents
Foreword vii
Dedications and Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
PART I
Theoretical Overview 7
1 History of Family Systems Theory 9
2 Differentiating Therapeutic Theory and Clinical Modality 23
3 Roles and Responsibilities of the Therapist in Family
Systems Theory 34
PART II
Theoretical Application 49
4 FST Concept I: Wholeness 51
5 FST Concept II: You Cannot Not Communicate 68
6 FST Concept III: Context Is Key 90
7 FST Concept IV: Co- occurring Systems 114
8 FST Concept V: Boundaries 137
9 FST Concept VI: Circular Causality 162
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vi Contents
PART III
Additional Considerations 183
10 Role of Individual Psychology in Family Systems Theory 185
11 Cultural Considerations of Family Systems Theory 198
Conclusion 216
References 218
Index 226
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Foreword
Over the years, as a professor in several graduate counseling programs, I have
come to recognize that there are two groups of students who seek the helping
profession. There is one group of very bright students who delve into theory,
research, and adore every second of their study. They ask important questions
in class that almost outshine the other students, who sometimes frown at their
knowledge, and feel intimidated by them. Those students often go on and
do phenomenal research and prove that certain theories are worthy of future
study. They often teach in graduate school after they graduate, expounding on
theory and research. They enliven our field with statistics and results of what
therapists do that work with families. Their work pushes us to understand the
effectiveness of marriage and family therapy.
The other group also consists of bright students who are interested in doing
marriage and family therapy and work very hard to learn the underpinnings of
marriage and family therapy. They seek out textbooks that define each family
therapy model, sometimes, skim the theory chapters, and hurry on to the
interventions. They try to understand how each model works and come to
class with important questions to ask, mostly to clarify what they have read.
They want examples of cases because they learn better that way. In their eyes,
most of what they read in their textbook is amazing. Yet, it is not always under-
standable. Their textbooks were probably written by a member of the first
group I described.
This book, however, is for the second group. They are the ones who will
go to work, day by day see families, push our field forward, and help humans
interact so that their lives are meaningful, together.
Dr. Suppes was once a student in my graduate program. I often noticed
that she walked the balance beam between both groups. I noticed early on that
her writing was superb, along with her drive and passion for research. Her love
of certain family therapy models meant that she was driven to understand how
they worked and examine the outcomes. The joy of watching such a student
made me excited. I told her often that her writing was amazing and she should
write a book. Somehow, I knew that if more students could come to under-
stand what Dr. Suppes understood through her efforts of learning the models
and utilizing them with families, they too would share in Dr. Suppes’ passion.
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This book will finally provide the simplicity and clarification that students
need to enter into the field of marriage and family therapy, with an understanding
of systemic principles, key terms, theory about family, case studies, and
explanations that make sense. Dr. Suppes has taken the sophisticated termin-
ology and principles of marriage and family therapy, along with mentions of
those early family therapists who transformed therapy, and provided the same
information into an easy-t o- read and casual manuscript that makes sense. Her
descriptions are so clear and at times, fun, that one can almost feel that she
is sitting next to the reader, like a friend talking about something fascinating
to them.
When I interviewed Dr. Suppes for admission to our PhD program,
I mentioned that my wish for her and all of our students was for them to
make a contribution to the field. I am happy to write in this Foreword that
Dr. Suppes has succeeded.
Linda Metcalf, PhD
Texas Wesleyan University
August, 2021
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Dedications and Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible without numerous indirect
contributions and support from others. First, my parents and grandparents
who showed me just how influential family can be. Your constant support and
compassion helped me persevere through many challenges, including personal
development, academic degrees, and now, this manuscript. Second, my loving
partner who did not know this book (or a global pandemic) would be a signifi-
cant character in the first few years of our relationship and persevered alongside
me. Third, Dr. Linda Metcalf, who offered not only connection to publica-
tion opportunities but invaluable guidance on how to write a book people,
hopefully, actually want to read. Fourth, Dr. Sara Blakeslee Salkil, who wrote
on one of my tests in my master’s program that she would not be surprised if
I authored a theory text someday. To each of you, I offer my sincerest grati-
tude. Finally, my thanks to the many professors, peers, family, and friends who
let me talk about this text repeatedly over its authorship. Please know I am
constantly learning from you and hope you see flavors of your wisdom in this
text as you offered it to me.
This book is dedicated to all those who helped my hope of publishing a
book become a reality. I hope it is not the last.
