Master Family Systems Therapy Training: From Chaos to Breakthrough

Master Family Systems Therapy Training provides concrete tools for real family sessions, moving beyond theory to help therapists confidently handle complex family dynamics. The training teaches systemic thinking to spot patterns, use questions that reveal hidden dynamics, and create change by addressing the root causes of dysfunction, leading to improved emotional health and family relationships.

FAMILY THERAPY TRAINING THAT HELPS

You walk into your office. A family sits before you. The teen refuses to make eye contact. Mom interrupts every sentence. Dad checks his phone.

Your graduate training didn't prepare you for this, despite a few classes on family systems theory!

Oliver Drakeford's "Family Systems: Step by Step" training fixes that gap. You get concrete tools that work in real family sessions. No more theory without practice, and family support that works.

It's $59.99 and use the code SEPTEMBER for a 15% discount (valid Sept 2025)

Why A Family Systems Therapy Training Approach Works

Most therapists treat symptoms one at a time. Teen has anxiety? Work on anxiety. Parent feels overwhelmed? Address stress management.

Some treatment approaches mis the point entirely - well, at least if you're a family systems practitioner.

Families operate as systems. One person's anxiety affects everyone else. When you treat individuals, you ignore the patterns that created the problem.

Family systems theory shows you the bigger picture. You see how behaviors connect across the whole family. Depression, school refusal, and acting out stem from system dysfunction, not individual issues.

Research shows that family systems improves behavioral problems improve when therapists address family patterns instead of individual symptoms. You need training that teaches system thinking.

What You Learn In THIS FAMILY THERAPY TRAINING COURSE

Drakeford brings nearly ten years of clinical experience to this training. He spent three years as Clinical Director at an adolescent residential treatment center. He knows what works with real families in crisis.

You learn to:

• Spot dysfunctional patterns in minutes

• Map family relationships in clinical practice visually -

• Use questions that reveal hidden dynamics - systemic thinking in action.

• Create change during sessions, not just between them through understanding feedback loops and circular thinking

• Deepen your relationship systems thinking to for general application and treatment planning.

"Amazing - EVERYTHING is in the videos," says Dr. Sarah Chen, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

The Complete FAMILY THERAPY Training

Foundation Module: Understanding Family Systems

You start with core principles and dive into family systems theory.

Families have boundaries, hierarchies, and subsystems. When these break down, symptoms appear.

You learn to see families as emotional units. Individual problems reflect system problems. Fix the system, and symptoms disappear.

Assessment That Actually Works

Traditional assessment takes weeks. This system works in your first session.

You observe where people sit. Who talks first? Who interrupts whom? These details reveal power structures and emotional alliances instantly.

The structural assessment model teaches you to identify:

• Rigid boundaries that create distance

• Loose boundaries that cause enmeshment

• Inverted hierarchies where kids run the family

• Triangulation patterns that avoid direct communication

• Learn how to use family mapping- a family diagram of sorts used by family systems counsellors.

Your First Family Session Roadmap

First sessions feel overwhelming. Too many people talking at once. Emotions running high. Competing stories about who's to blame. This course has direct clinical application from before you even meet the family.

This module gives you a clear structure. You learn circular questioning techniques that calm the room and reveal patterns.

Instead of asking "Why did this happen?" you ask "When Sarah gets upset, who notices first?" This shifts focus from blame to understanding system dynamics.

Family mapping turns chaos into visual clarity. You draw simple diagrams showing relationships and boundaries. Families see their own patterns for the first time.

The Hypothesis Generator Tool

You collect information in your first session. Now what?

The five-part Hypothesis Generator turns observations into working theories. You identify structural problems maintaining the dysfunction.

This tool prevents you from getting lost in family complexity. You focus on root causes, not surface symptoms.

Five Universal Family Patterns

Most family problems follow predictable patterns. Learn these five, and you understand 90% of what walks through your door - and it's family systems theory in action.

1. The Identified Patient - One family member carries symptoms for everyone

2. Parentification - Children take on adult responsibilities

3. Triangulation - Two people use a third to avoid direct conflict

4. Enmeshment - Boundaries dissolve, independence disappears

5. Disengagement - Family members disconnect emotionally

   
   

Each pattern requires specific interventions. You learn exactly what to do for each one.

Interventions That Create Change

Talking about problems doesn't fix them. You need techniques that create new behaviors in real time.

Enactments let families practice different ways of interacting during your session. You coach parents through setting limits. You guide siblings to negotiate directly.

Blocking interrupts dysfunctional communication patterns as they happen. Restructuring helps families establish healthier hierarchies.

These techniques work because families experience change, not just discuss it.

Real Case Applications

School Refusal Case Study

Fifteen-year-old Marcus refuses to attend school. Previous therapy focused on his anxiety and avoidance.

The family systems perspective reveals the real issue. Marcus's mother has her own anxiety about separation. Her protective behavior reinforces his avoidance.

Treatment addresses the family pattern, not just Marcus's symptoms. Mom learns to manage her anxiety. Marcus returns to school within six weeks.

Communication Breakdown

The Johnson family can't have a conversation without fighting. Traditional therapy teaches communication skills.

Family systems training shows you the structural problem. Dad withdrew after losing his job. Mom triangulates through the kids to reach him. The children feel responsible for their parents' relationship.

You restructure the hierarchy. Parents learn to communicate directly. Children focus on age-appropriate concerns. Fighting decreases immediately.

Evidence Base and Clinical Research

Studies consistently show family systems approaches outperform individual therapy for adolescent issues. A 2024 meta-analysis found:

• Systemic Therapy decreased antisocial behavior and improved parenting skills, family relationships, and social support

• Almost 90% of clients report improved emotional health after family therapy, according to data collected by marriage and family therapist professional associations

• 73.7% of parents report their child's behavior improved after family therapy was the intervention

Clinical practice validates these findings. When you treat the system, individual symptoms resolve faster and stay resolved longer.

Training Format and Access

You get lifetime access to all modules for $59.99. Compare that to $800-1200 for similar in-person workshops.

The self-paced format works around your schedule. Watch modules when convenient. Revisit difficult concepts as needed.

Additional resources include:

• Family mapping templates

• Assessment worksheets

• Session planning guides

• Free structural family therapy e-book

Professional Development Value

This training does not count toward continuing education requirements unfortunately but if anyone knows how to make that happen, please let me know! You gain practical skills that immediately improve your clinical effectiveness.

Participants report increased confidence in family sessions. You stop dreading complex family dynamics and start seeing them as opportunities for systemic change.

The supportive learning environment includes access to supervision groups and peer consultation. You're not learning alone.

Start Your Transformation Today

Family therapy doesn't have to feel overwhelming. You can learn to see patterns, understand dynamics, and create change systematically.

Stop chasing symptoms. Start treating systems.

The "Family Systems: Step by Step" training gives you everything you need to transform your practice. Your families will notice the difference immediately.

Your clinical confidence will grow with every session.

Ready to master family systems therapy? Your next breakthrough family session starts with this training.

Couples and Family Therapist: Oliver Drakeford LMFT CGP

I'm Oliver and I'm a recovering clinical director of an adolescent treatment center - I built and entire program around Structural Family Systems Therapy. Today I provide couples therapy, family therapy to people in and around Los Angeles. My office is in West Hollywood.

If you're curious about more of my work check out

• Bowen Family Systems Theory Course

• Some my thoughts on Differentiation Of Self

• And reach out here for Clinical Consultations and Supervision

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need family therapy experience to take this course? 

It's a course for therapists, or people in grad school to become therapist - in which case you know enough to get a lot out of the course.. The training starts with basic concepts and builds your skills step by step. You'll learn everything from scratch.

How much time does the complete training take? 

About 12 hours total across six modules. You work at your own pace. Some people finish in a weekend, others spread it over several weeks.

How long do I have access to the materials?

Lifetime access. Once you purchase, the training is yours forever. You also get free updates when new content is added. If you get really stuck, I can offer a clinical consultation - reach out on my website here.

What if I work mainly with individual clients? 

These skills improve all your therapy work. Understanding family systems helps even in individual sessions because everyone comes from a family system.

Does this count for continuing education credits?

No- I'm sorry, I don't know how to apply to become certified for continuing education credits - yet- if you do, please reach out to me! I'd love to be able to offer it.