ABSTRACT
In essence, the structural approach to families is based on the concept that a family is more than the individual biopsychodynamics of its members. The reality of the structure is of a different order from the reality of the individual members. The therapist analyzes the transactional field in which he and the family are meeting, in order to make a structural diagnosis. The only family structure immediately available to a therapist is the dysfunctional structure. The therapist observes a family structure that seems to include the mother and children in a coalition against the father. The children interrupt spouse transactions, and the father is excluded from parenting transactions. The use of structural analysis in determining therapeutic goals and suggesting therapeutic strategies has inherent pitfalls. This pitfall of structural family therapy can be avoided if the therapist accommodates to the family system to an extent that allows him to experience and assess the stress and pain felt by the family members.
