Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy

Abstract

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Third‐Order Thinking in Family Therapy: Addressing Social Justice Across Family Therapy Practice

“…Sociologists have found that negative emotion often occurs when we perceive ourselves as not getting what we deserve (Turner, 2007). If we integrate the sociology of emotion into, say, experiential therapy (McDowell et al, 2018), we are better able to link societal dynamics with intimate family experiences in ways that enhance and contextualize emotional expression and the sharing of wants and needs. Generally those with more power and influence experience more positive emotions, particularly when they feel that they are getting the rewards and respect they deserve.…”

“…From an attachment perspective, she wants to know more not only about the working models of relationships they have each internalized but also how their perceptions of belonging and connection are related to social locations and societal power and how these support or interfere with attachment bonds (McDowell et al, 2018). She is aware that the mental health services system is one of the systems of systems at work in their lives.…”

“…In time, Hoffman (1981Hoffman ( , 1985 and others (e.g., Anderson & Goolishan, 1992;Keeney, 1983) called for second-order systems thinking; a shift that included acknowledging the influence of our own context and viewpoint on how we "know" families with whom we work. This allows us to conceptualize sets of alternatives within interconnecting systems and effectively respond, providing a framework for how to integrate heightened sociocultural awareness more effectively across our practices (McDowell, Knudson-Martin, & Bermudez, 2018). Social constructivists ushered in yet another shift, challenging the very foundations of our advent as uniquely relying on systems theory to understand families (Dickerson, 2014) and expanding the focus on social context.…”

“…We propose a deliberate shift in the field toward third-order thinking that recognizes why power matters (Knudson-Martin, 2013), acknowledges the material realities associated with societal systems, and supports social and relational equity across all family therapy models (McDowell et al, 2018). We propose a deliberate shift in the field toward third-order thinking that recognizes why power matters (Knudson-Martin, 2013), acknowledges the material realities associated with societal systems, and supports social and relational equity across all family therapy models (McDowell et al, 2018).…”

“…We put forth that while first-and second-order change continue to have an important place in the practice of family therapy, as a field we are evolving to more routinely include the potential for third-order change (McDowell, 2015;McDowell et al, 2018). We put forth that while first-and second-order change continue to have an important place in the practice of family therapy, as a field we are evolving to more routinely include the potential for third-order change (McDowell, 2015;McDowell et al, 2018).…”