• Home
  • Free Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu

Family Therapy Basics

1830 North University Drive
Plantation, FL, 33322
Phone Number
Save Time and LOVE Your Work

Your Custom Text Here

Family Therapy Basics

  • Home
  • Free Library
  • Blog
  • Contact

Linear vs. Circular Causality: Systemic Therapy Series

September 25, 2018 Ili Rivera Walter, PhD, LMFT
Linear vs. Circular Causality in systemic therapy

Lately, I’ve been reviewing the history of the marriage and family therapy (MFT) field. Including the stories of MFT pioneers, the shift represented in the field from treating the individual to treating the system, and the core concepts that mark systemic thinking and systemic therapy.

It’s been fun!

I’ve decided to begin a systemic therapy series to review the major concepts of systems theory, as well as how to begin and maintain the systemic perspective.

(As an aside, if you’re a marriage and family therapist, and you’ve never seen the genogram of the field, the AAMFT sells a poster copy. Take a look at it, here.)

If you’re not a marriage and family therapist, you may be wondering if you should stick around and read this article. Yes, you should! As long as you are interested in learning about systemic therapy, you will benefit from the information.

Linear vs. Circular Causality

Today’s topic is causality, and more specifically, the difference between linear and circular causality.  In order to aid my explanation, I’ll use a case example:


Mark and Sheena are concerned about their son, seven year-old Duane. Duane is refusing to go to school, and is “depressed” according to his parents. His dog, Einstein, died two months ago, and Duane has gotten “progressively worse.” Mark and Sheena don’t know what to do to help Duane, and they’d like to initiate individual therapy for him.

Linear Causality


A linear interpretation of problems translates into the following equation:  A influences B, but B doesn’t influence A. That is, A causes B.


Case application:

When Duane goes to his room and refuses to go to school, Mark and Sheena raise their voices and lecture him. It is Duane’s isolation that is causing Mark and Sheena’s response.

Linear causality often influences an individual perspective of problems and solutions. An individual perspective holds the assumptions that a) problems are caused and maintained by the individual, through beliefs, biology, emotions, or other abnormal or unhelpful factors within the individual, and b) solutions are created and maintained by individuals changing their beliefs, emotions, or other abnormal or unhelpful factors within them, or their responses to these factors.


Circular Causality

A circular interpretation of problems translates into the following pattern:  A influences B, and B influences A. The circle/dynamic is ongoing.

Case application:

When Duane goes to his room and refuses to go to school, Mark and Sheena raise their voices and lecture him. When Mark and Sheena raise their voices, Duane isolates. Mark and Sheena’s response heighten Duane’s need for isolation, and Duane’s isolation heighten Mark and Sheena’s anxiety, and therefore their escalation. Duane and his parents are in a troubling family system dynamic.

The adoption of circular causality allows for a systemic perspective of problems and solutions. The systemic perspective holds the assumptions that a) problems are caused and maintained in the system through unhelpful relational dynamics and ongoing interactions, and b) solutions are created and maintained by individuals within the system changing their communication and interactions with, and responses to other members of the system.

Gathering The Full, Circular Picture In Systemic Therapy

When your work is founded in circular causality, it reveals options for interpretation, intervention, and hope, for you and the family.

Couples and families often initiate therapy with a linear explanation of the problem. For example, in this case, perhaps Mark and Sheena have explained the problem as:

Einstein’s death (A) + Duane’s “depression” (B) = Duane’s refusal to go to school (C).

In order to fully understand the problem, as well as facilitate a systemic understanding with clients, use questions to fill-in missing information.

Using our case, here is an expanded view of the problem dynamic:

Einstein showed signs of deteriorating health, unexpectedly, while Duane was in school. Mark came home from work, and he took Einstein to the veterinarian. While at the vet, Mark made the decision to put Einstein to sleep. The vet agreed to make arrangements for the body. When Duane came home from school, Einstein was missing. In order to prevent too much sadness, Mark and Sheena told him that Einstein died, but they quickly moved on to helping Duane “feel better.” Whenever Duane brought up his sadness, or Einstein’s death, this was their approach.

Duan became increasingly sad and withdrawn. After one month of observing their son’s reaction to Einstein’s death, Mark and Sheena brought home a new puppy for Duane; however, Duane did not want the puppy. In fact, his isolation and sadness worsened.

If Mark and Sheena, in their initial therapy phone call, present the linear explanation for Duane’s refusal to go to school, these are some sample questions that would help the therapist expand the problem dynamic:

  • Where was Duane when Einstein died?

  • Please describe Duane’s relationship with Einstein?

  • How did you address Einstein’s death with Duane?

  • What efforts have you made to solve “the problem?”

The following themes are salient in this case:

  • Death

  • Grief

  • Parental response to anxiety

  • Decision-making

  • Communication

  • Family rules

  • Attachment


Summary

The shift from linear to circular causality scores the shift from the individual to the systemic perspective for the fields representing psychotherapy, as well as the shift for you, the therapist, as you commit to learning and employing a systemic perspective in your therapy work.


Free Cheat Sheet

 

>>> Download a copy of the Linear vs. Circular Causality Cheat Sheet! Find it in the free resource library.

 

Let’s Chat

Let me know in the comments below:

  • What question(s) do you have about linear or circular causality?

  • What stands out most to you from this article?


RELATED POSTS
How To Address Therapy Clients' "Undercurrents" and Stress In Therapy
Treating Traumatized Families: An Introduction to the Family Systems Trauma Model (FST), with Dr. Scott Sells
The Importance of Using Metaphors and Metaphoric Tales as a Therapeutic Intervention
Are Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Compatible?
Family Therapy Basics Research RoundUp: Summer 2019
Linear vs. Circular Causality: Systemic Therapy Series
Steps for Assessing and Fostering Family Resilience in Therapy
Mindfulness-Infused Therapy: 4 Approaches
The Therapist's Battle for Structure and Initiative: A Review
Appreciative Inquiry:  How to Facilitate "Powerfully Positive" Change in Therapy
Solution Focused Brief Couples Therapy Tips, with Elliott Connie
Four Systemic Steps for Addressing Anxiety with Therapy Clients
In Theory Tags therapy, top
← the refreshed Therapist book club: Celebrating one yearTherapist resources for you! →
Interested in information that clarifies, simplifies, and enhances your therapy work? You're in the right place. Learn more . . .

Interested in information that clarifies, simplifies, and enhances your therapy work?  You're in the right place.  Learn more . . .



S A Y H E L L O


F O L L O W  T H E  B L O G

SUBSCRIBE

S U P P O R T T H E B L O G

DONATE ANY AMOUNT

B L O G S P O N S O R S

Thera-link | Family Therapy Basics

A F F I L I A T E S

 
 

P O P U L A R  P O S T S

Blog
10 Therapist (and Child)-Approved Activities to Support Kids with Anxiety
The Art and Science of Therapy as Craft, Part 2:  Crafting Questions
Therapist Self-Disclosure Simplified
Solution Focused Brief Couples Therapy Tips, with Elliott Connie
Family of Origin Exploration for the Therapist:  How to Create Your Genogram
5 Tips for Keeping Up with Therapy Paperwork
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Client Types, and Their Relevance To Every Session
How to Ethically Offer Coaching as a Licensed Therapist:  A Step-By-Step Guide
5 Step Plan for De-escalating an In-Session couple Argument

#5 on Feedspot's Top 40

 Family Therapy Blogs

T O O L S  WE  L O V E

SEE THE LIST

I N S T A G R A M

@driliwalter

I was speaking with a couple this week, and the wife explained that she retaliated toward her husband, because she wanted him to feel the way she feels when he does the same thing to her.

Of course, when we feel unheard, we will result to desperate
Focusing on changing our partner is a waste of energy. We can make requests and express our desires, but when this turns into consistent criticism, it harms everyone involved.

Oftentimes, wanting to change another stems from our own unhappiness. Ins
Sure, it makes sense that when spouses are best friends, the first thing we wonder is if they are isolating from having interests outside their relationship. In reality, many couples who are each other's best friends do enjoy separate activities and
Safe connection is a gift that heals us. ♥️
@realterryreal

#familytherapybasics


COPYRIGHT 2016, FAMILY THERAPY BASICS | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ABOUT SUBMISSIONS PARTNERSHIPS SUPERVISION

copyright © 2016-2025 | Family Therapy Basics | All Rights Reserved | Legal, Privacy, + Disclaimer | Site Credits, Affiliations, + Stuff