[[Marriage & Family Therapy]] ### Origins - Originally created to treat **depression** in individuals. - It began as an **intrapsychic model** (focused on thoughts inside a person), but later expanded to family therapy. --- ### Core Ideas - **Thoughts Influence Behavior** - How we understand the world (our _cognitions_) shapes how we act. - Our behavior is often reinforced by what happens afterward (consequences). - Changing how we _think_ and _act_ can lead to healthier relationships. - **Behavioral Experiments** - Therapy encourages trying out new behaviors to see different outcomes. - Focus is on present, **observable behavior**, not deep emotional dynamics. --- ### Cognitive Distortions These are _unhelpful thinking patterns_, often formed in early childhood: - **All-or-nothing thinking** – Seeing things as all good or all bad. - **Mind reading** – Assuming you know what others are thinking. - **Should statements** – Believing things “should” be a certain way. - **Unrealistic expectations** – Holding others or yourself to unfair standards. These distortions often come from deeper belief systems called _schemas_. --- ### Schemas - **Schemas** are mental frameworks we use to understand the world. - Formed in childhood, shaped by life experience. - Always evolving, and influenced by the actions and beliefs of family members. - **Culturally aware therapists** recognize that personal and family schemas are also shaped by **social and cultural power dynamics** (e.g., race, gender, class). - Therapy must consider these dynamics to help families grow and heal. There are individual schemas, family schemas, societal schemas, etc Think of schemas almost like a set of rules. It is much easier to change schemas on an individual level than it is at a family or societal level.