For therapists, therapy models are like maps. They organize the information given by the client and direct the pathway towards the client’s goal. The model a therapist uses influences what questions they ask, how the problem is seen, and where to focus. There are many models, each with a different view of human nature, where mental health problems come from, and what should be the main focus of therapy. While most models can be used by Christian counselors effectively, today I wanted to highlight an approach that has compelled me due to its resonance with Catholic values.
What is Family Therapy
Beginning in the 1960s, the Family Therapy movement is relatively new. The movement is unique in that it focuses not only on the individual experiencing mental health issues. It sees the mental health issues as part of a relationship system. If you go to the doctor with a cold, they do not only look up your nose. They check your ears, heart, and run tests for viruses. Similarly, the Family Therapy model does not only look at the person with symptoms. It views the symptoms as both affecting and being affected by the person’s family, friends, and any other community to which the person belongs. This is formally called family systems theory. Family systems theory does not require seeing a family in session, although this is common with children and teens. It is a therapy model, a unique way of viewing people, marriage, and families that prioritizes the power of relationships.
Individualism
So, how does Family Systems Theory resonate with Catholicism? The first way is that both Family Systems and the Catholic Church do not view people through the individualistic lens common today. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), Justice Kennedy famously stated that “At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life” (p. 833). This sentence is emblematic of the extreme level of individualism embraced by Western culture, where meaning is created and not received. In this view, each person is an island isolated from their community by the right to define themselves and the world.
This is in contrast with the Catholic view of the self. The Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], (1997) states, “All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the union of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love” (§1878). In addition, Jesus teaches in the Gospels that each person must “… deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16: 24–25). We are called to be like God, who is a communion of three persons. This is a radical view of self that embraces both the individual and the community of love. Who we are is not limited to ourselves. We are mysteriously united through the Holy Spirit.
The Family Systems Theory view of self also contrasts with the dominant view in Western Culture. It recognizes that who we are is inseparable from our community, most especially our family. While other therapy models focus on your thoughts, your emotions, and your view of the world, Family Systems Theory takes an expansive view. It helps you grow who you are through how you connect with your family and your community.
The Value of the Family
Another uniting factor between Family Systems Theory and Catholicism is the importance of familial relationships. More than ever, children are cutting themselves off from their families, with some research showing 27% of American adults saying they have cut off at least one family member (“Parental Estrangement,” 2023). This may be necessary in cases of abuse and genuine lack of safety. However, many times, cutoffs are an attempt to avoid conflict and discomfort. In Family Systems Theory, a cutoff only freezes your growth as an individual. Even if reconciliation is not possible, you would often need to interact with your family for your own growth.
The Family has great importance in Catholicism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents the family as the original cell of social life, the primary place of human, moral, and spiritual formation, and a “domestic church” that mediates between the individual and society (CCC §1655–1656; 2204–2207; 2221–2223). Additionally, the fourth commandment requires us to “honor your father and your mother” (Exod 20:12). God established marriage and created us as social creatures to be part of a family. Our destiny is to be united with each other as one in a family. In these ways, Catholicism teaches the importance of family connection.
Not all Family Therapists are Christian
It is important to note that while Family Systems Theory resonates with Catholicism in many ways, this does not mean that all family therapists do. As a theory, Family Systems Theory is morally neutral and is interpreted in many different ways. My belief is that the quality of the therapist is more important than the particular theory they use. However, I have found Family Systems Theory to have a profound impact on my own life and the lives of my clients. Through it, I learned not to run away from my family, but to grow by reconnecting with them in healthy (and often uncomfortable) ways.
Conclusion
Those who specialize in Family Systems Theory are often Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, although LPCs and Social Workers can also specialize in this. If you are a parent and you have a child with mental health difficulties or behavioral issues, Family is an often-overlooked path to healing. If you want personal growth and can find a therapist who specializes in Family Systems, it may be a great opportunity for you.
References
Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). (1997). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
Parental Estrangement: Can the Family Heal After Adult Children Divorce Their Parents? (2023, April 29). Newport Institute. https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/parental-estrangement/
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992).
To connect with Justin Perry, visit his directory profile at
https://find.catholictherapists.com/justin-perry
- Growing Through Relationships: Family Therapy and Catholic Values - December 30, 2025
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