The Puzzling Metaphor: Teaching General Systems Theory to Marriage and Family Therapy Trainees

Abstract

This article aims to connect the general systems theory (GST) principle of Holism and structural family therapy (SFT) to highlight commonalities between theories. This article will discuss primary concepts, family development, symptomology, process of change, and techniques of SFT in order to provide a basic overview of the theory. In an effort to provide a means for teaching marriage and family therapist trainees, an innovative strategy using metaphor will be introduced. The Puzzling Metaphor symbolizes the systems concept of holism in a visual representation coupled with SFT’s concepts and techniques to concurrently learn principles of both models.