An analysis of the family therapist, Salvador Minuchin, including an overview of his life and works.
This paper examines Salvador Minuchin and his structural method of family therapy. The paper presents a brief history of Minuchin’s life, his peers and influences. The paper includes a clear description of this particular type of therapy, outlining the five basic concepts of the therapy and the different strategies used. The paper also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this modality. Finally examples of a family session are provided.
Salvador Minuchin was born in Argentina in 1921 to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. (Doorey) Minuchin was the oldest of three children and the son of a successful businessman. When the Great Depression came into fruition his family’s business deteriorated and the family was thrown into a life of poverty. (Doorey) Salvador’s fascination with helping people through psychology began when he was in High School and he sought to help juvenile delinquents. (Doorey) He became enthralled with the works of the philosopher Rousseau. When he was 18 he entered medical school and was involved with the political movement that sought to overthrow the dictator Juan Peron. Minuchin’s protest landed him in jail for three months. Salvador graduated in 1946 and began his residency in pediatric psychology.