At Sunrise Residential Treatment Center, we are proud of the extensive work we do, not only with the girls, but the entire family as a whole. We often consider our clinical approach to be similar to a tree with Family Systems Theory as the roots, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy as the trunk, and all other modalities of therapy we use to create a successful healing environment as the branches and leaves. But why is Family Systems Theory and approaching the family as a whole so important?
Family Systems Theory, originated by Dr. Murray Bowen, is "a theory of human behavior that views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit". The theory takes a close look at the roles that each family member plays, the spoken and unspoken rules of the family, and the relationship between each family member. At Sunrise, we recognize that if we do not address, during weekly family therapy sessions, the roles, rules, and relationships that each family creates for themselves, lasting change and healing cannot occur. Shifting the whole family dynamic creates the support our girls need to normalize the skills they are learning in order for them to function successfully outside of Sunrise.
Craig Simpson, LCSW, Senior Clinical Director at Sunrise, shares his expertise on working with families, saying "Family Therapy is critical at Sunrise and so much fun. A lot of our girls will be working really hard in individual and group therapy but as soon as they step into family therapy they will fall back into their identified role- the victim, identified patient, scapegoat, etc. It is then our job to challenge the family system to break that pattern. This creates a really cool opportunity for the family to grow and support each other in new ways."
About Sunrise RTC
Sunrise is a residential treatment center for adolescent girls ages 13-17 aimed at uncovering the academic, social and emotional potential of girls who have been held back by emotional or behavioral struggles. Sunrise combines the warmth of a home, the safety and clinical expertise of a residential treatment program and the community access of a transition program.