Border setting in family therapy

Salvador Minuchin was an Argentine psychiatrist and psychologist who developed structural family therapy. According to this school of thought, an individual's problems are the result of dysfunctions in family interactions. Border setting (or limits) is a key component of this model.

Content

• What do we understand by borders in family therapy
• What are border setting techniques
  • Modify psychological or affective distance
  • Modify the duration of interaction within a significant system
• An example case
  • References

What do we understand by borders in family therapy

Borders in structural family therapy refer to the rules and expectations that define how family members interact with each other. These borders can be clear, diffuse or rigid.

1. Clear borders: When borders are clear, there is a healthy balance between dependence and independence between family members. This allows each individual to maintain their own identity while still feels part of the family.
2. Diffuse borders: Diffuse borders exist when family members are too involved in the lives of others. This can lead to lack of privacy and excessive emotional dependence between family members.
3. Rigid borders: Rigid borders exist when family members are too disconnected from each other. This can result in isolation and lack of emotional support.

In structural family therapy, the therapist will work with the family to identify and modify dysfunctional borders. This may involve promoting open communication, teaching conflict resolution skills, and helping the family develop greater respect for the individuality and privacy of each member. The objective is to create a family system that promotes the well -being of all its members.

The intensity creation technique in family therapy

What are border setting techniques

Minuchin proposed two main techniques to modify borders:

Modify psychological or affective distance

This technique It implies the observation and modification of emotional interactions among family members. The therapist will observe and analyze the interactions that occur during the sessions, paying attention to physical proximity, who speaks more, who is interrupted, who helps more and other similar indicators. From this observation, the therapist can suggest changes to increase or reduce emotional proximity among family members.

For example, if a couple with a conjugal crisis is involving their child in their conflict, a therapist can modify the physical disposition of the family in the room. If the child sits between the parents, the therapist could move the child and place it in front of the parents, sitting on them side by side. This physical readjust.

Modify the duration of interaction within a significant system

This technique Treat or extend an interaction process to establish healthier limits. For example, if family members spend too much time discussing the problems of an individual, the therapist can suggest that this time is limited to protect the borders of the individual and to encourage greater independence.

Minuchin also introduces the idea of home tasks to reinforce the techniques used in the session and promote change outside therapy. These tasks may include concrete actions to establish and maintain new borders.

These techniques are particularly useful for families with undifferentiation of roles, where members are too merged. The ultimate goal is to create a family system that respects and supports the individuality and interdependence of each member.

An example case

Consider a family formed by two parents and two teenage children. In this family, parents tend to be overprotective and assume many responsibilities that should belong to children. As a result, adolescents depend too much on their parents and have difficulty developing their independence and responsibility.

During a therapy session, the therapist observes that parents constantly answer questions that are addressed to children and that children rarely take the initiative in conversations. The borders between parental and filial subsystems are diffuse and the roles intermingle.

To start correcting this, the therapist could use the technique of modifying the psychological distance. For example, the therapist could ask parents to feel silent and allow children to speak for themselves when they ask them a question. This can increase emotional and psychological separation between parents and children and help children develop their own voice.

Regarding modifying the duration of the interaction, the therapist could suggest that parents spend time every week to allow children to handle their own problems, while parents refrain from intervening. This home task can help reinforce the limits established in the session and promote greater independence from children at home.

Over time, these techniques can help restore clear and healthy limits within the family, at the same time promoting the independence and maturity of the children.

Staging technique in therapy, what is and how is used

References

• Minuchin, s. (1974). Families and family therapy. Mexico: Economic Culture Fund.
• Minuchin, s., & Fishman, H. C. (1981). Family therapy techniques. Barcelona: Paidós.
• Nichols, m. P., & Schwartz, R. C. (2006). Family therapy: concepts and methods. Madrid: Pearson.