Name of Theory
Theory of Constraints in Couple and Family Therapy
Synonyms
Negative explanation; Restraints
Introduction
The Theory of Constraints derives from Gregory Bateson’s theory of Negative Explanation (Bateson 1972). This theory holds that a phenomenon occurs because something keeps a different phenomenon from occurring. Applied to the practice of couple and family therapy, the theory posits that people in a relational system do what they do because they are kept, that is constrained, from doing something else. The problems of a relational system, therefore, are the result of constraints rather than pathology. The theory of constraints encourages therapists to maintain a systemic lens, thereby holding the view that relational systems solve problems by lifting constraints.
Prominent Associated Figures
Douglas C. Breunlin
Gregory Bateson
William Pinsof
William Russell
Michael White
Description
Gregory Bateson was an anthropologist whose thinking had a major impact on the theories...
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References
Bateson, G. (1972). Steps to an ecology of mind: Collected essays in anthropology, psychiatry, evolution, and epistemology. Northvale: Jason Aronson.
Breunlin, D. C. (1999). Toward a theory of constraints. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25(3), 365–382.
Breunlin, D. C., Schwartz, R. C., & Karrer, B. (1992). Metaframeworks: Transcending the models of family therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. (Paperback edition, 1997; Portuguese edition, 2000; Artmed Editorial).
Breunlin, D. C., Pinsof, W., Russell, W., & Lebow, J. (2011). Integrative problem centered metaframeworks (IPCM) therapy I: Core concepts and hypothesizing. Family Process, 50, 293–313.
Pinsof, W., Breunlin, D., Russell, W., & Lebow, J. (2011). Integrative problem centered metaframeworks (IPCM) therapy II: Planning, conversing, and reading feedback. Family Process, 50(4), 314–336.
Russell, B., Pinsof, W., Breunilin, D., & Lebow, J. (2015). Integrative problem centered metaframeworks (IPCM) therapy. In T. Sexton & J. Lebow (Eds.), Handbook of family therapy (pp. 530–544). New York: Routledge.
White, M. (1986). Negative explanation, restraints and double description: A template for family therapy. Family Process, 25(2), 169–184.
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Breunlin, D.C. (2019). Theory of Constraints in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_913
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_913
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