Bulletin Spring 2018

WITHIN A
FAMILY SYSTEM
ALYSON YEARSLEY, MSWA COUNSELLOR
“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.”
Alex Haley.
In my years of working with families, I have learnt the
importance of keeping the entire family in mind when
counselling individuals, couples or the family as a whole.
When one member is suffering, it will most likely impact the
entire unit. When a family member receives a diagnosis of
MS or other chronic or terminal illness, it has the potential to
affect all members and can often change the course of the
family story.
The best way to think of the family affected by illness, is of
a tapestry altered by a change in its pattern. Sarah Burton
MacLeod MD from Canada describes the family as an
interactive system:
• families contain and interact with many subsystems based
on relationships
• a change with one of the members of the family will
influence the entire system
• emotional interdependence has evolved to promote
cooperation to protect their members (Mehta et.al., 2009)
The predictability of the family surviving or managing an
illness can be found in how resilient or healthy the family is to
start with. Questions to ask may include:
• how has the family adapted to change in the past?
• how supportive are members of each other?
• what complications are getting in the way?
Complex family systems with multiple challenges such as
economic, mental health, family conflict or multiple health
issues may complicate navigation through a new family
health challenge. Stresses within the system may need to be
addressed before anything else will change. Often the core
strengths of the family based on love, caring and shared
family values will motivate members to go the extra mile to
do what is needed to promote positive change. Sometimes
this shared challenge will bring the family together.
Strategies to help families cope can include:
• improving communication within the family
• educating family members on health issues and what to expect
• creating awareness of how each member is affected
• learning practical skills to decrease stress and promote a
healthy lifestyle
• accessing professional help for members of family that are
most affected
Counselling individuals who are dealing with a chronic illness
can have a positive impact on the entire family. When a
Member is feeling supported and heard, stress levels can
decrease. Most of our counselling at MSWA is on an individual
level but can incorporate a family systems approach or
family inclusiveness. This can lead to cooperation within
the system, increased resilience and shared understanding.
What if someone is isolated or has an unsupportive family?
Counselling can often bridge the gap or to help the client
build a larger support network. MSWA Groups for Members
or carers can expand this even further, as meeting others
affected by similar challenges can help someone feel more
connected or bring about change on a community level.
What I have learned learnt from my experience working with
families is that there is an emotional bond between Members
based on the history of the family and the need for the family
unit to survive. Most families I meet love talking about their
family, even the dark side of the story over generations. The
past traumas, conflicts and challenges are noted as what
made the family stronger or in some cases fall apart. Talking
about the past can often uncover what may have contributed
to family stress to begin with.
Whether promoting positive change, companioning
along a journey or supporting family during loss and
grief, MSWA counsellors are here to help.
References:
The Family as the Unit of Care: Challenges & Rewards; Sarah
Burton MacLeod, MDCCFP & Kim Crowe, BSW RSW
Mehta, A., Cohen, S.R., & Chan, L.S. (2009). Palliative care:
A need for a family systems approach. Palliative & Supportive
Care, 7(2), 235-243
12 | MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2018