Family therapy operates on the principle of circular causality—behaviors are not linear (cause → effect) but cyclical. In Elena’s family, her "goodness" triggers specific responses:
Without intervention, this system can persist for decades. As an adult, Elena may repeat the same pattern with partners or employers, or she may experience burnout when the demands of "goodness" become unsustainable. family therapy elena koshka the good daught top
In Salvador Minuchin’s structural model, clear boundaries between subsystems (parents, children) are essential. The therapist might physically move seats so Elena sits with siblings rather than between her parents. She would be coached to say, "Mom and Dad, this is your discussion," thereby disengaging from their conflicts. Family therapy operates on the principle of circular
Elena Koshka's narrative, emblematic of "the good daughter," brings to the forefront several themes that are central to family therapy: Without intervention, this system can persist for decades