Structural Therapy was first recognized by Salvador Minuchin in the structural school of counseling back in 1974. Minuchin observed that families developed patterns within the family that resulted in structure. Each family operates with transactional patterns that represent a system. Structure is a mutual agreements made between people until someone decides that they want to go in another direction. Families have a process of verbal and nonverbal communication that amongst family members makes it easy to understand. The goal of structural therapy is to transform dysfunctional family structures by creating imbalance. The attempt is done by the therapist to influence the family into positive change. Ultimately, the goal for the family is to focus on having change to better balance.
Family-Directed Structural Therapy (FDST) is an approach to family therapy built upon traditional concepts of Structural Family Therapy, the strengths model, and group work therapy. This therapy is focused on a multicultural population in the Midwest being researched the last 12 years. The diversity that the Midwest had was one of the better options for observation having the different cultures. Sessions are set and timed as the initial assessment generally requires one 90 minute session and then seven to nine sessions with a therapist. Therapist assists the family in incorporating the process and vocabulary of FDST into their everyday lives. Within the sessions the families take they must express the issues for structural gain. Most sessions are observed at six weeks, three months, and at that point the therapist will dictate if the family has problem areas and also if there needs to be a structural rework. Most structural therapy is focused on the family aspect of human services and dealing with deeper family problems. It is
