If there is a strong extended family presence, which models may be used?

• A. Psychoanalytic theory and CBT only
• B. Bowen, Family Systems Theory, or General Systems Theory with Genogram, Ecogram, and 'I' Position
• C. Existential therapy techniques alone
• D. Pharmacotherapy and medical models

Answer: (B)

When extended family involvement is strong, therapy benefits from treating the family as a system rather than focusing only on an individual. Bowenian and broader family/system theories help map and understand how patterns, roles, and emotions circulate across generations, so you can see why issues recur and how triangles and boundary dynamics keep playing out in the extended network. Tools like the genogram reveal multigenerational relationships and patterns, while the ecogram expands this to include connections outside the immediate family and the broader social context. The idea of an I-Position supports individuals in articulating their own stance within those family dynamics, helping to reduce fusion and promote differentiated perspectives. General Systems Theory provides the overarching view that every part of the family affects every other part, guiding interventions aimed at changing interaction patterns and communication flows. These approaches are especially fitting when the presenting concerns are rooted in family-system interactions, rather than being addressed by strictly individual-focused therapies.