Family Systems Theory

Description

What if your client’s most persistent symptoms aren’t just individual struggles—but reflections of invisible patterns holding their entire family system in place? When we treat people in isolation, we risk missing the deeply rooted dynamics that shape identity, behavior, and relational pain. Family systems theory helps you see what’s really happening—and how to create change that lasts.

Even seasoned professionals can feel stuck when treating entrenched relational issues. This course offers fresh insight and practical strategies grounded in well-established theory and backed by decades of clinical application, helping you reframe client challenges systemically and intervene with confidence.

Dr. Katherine Hertlein, PhD, is a widely respected systems therapist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With over 90 peer-reviewed articles, 40 book chapters, and 12 books, her work on couple therapy, technology, and sexual health is considered foundational. Her teaching equips clinicians with theory-to-practice skills grounded in real-world application.

Dr. Hertlein’s approach invites critical thinking while staying clinically grounded. She bridges foundational theory with advanced, culturally attuned strategies, guiding learners to integrate classic models, sociocultural awareness, and systemic techniques into daily practice.

In this 6-hour online self-study course, you'll explore systemic thinking, communication patterns, feedback loops, cybernetics, structural and strategic family therapy, and sociocultural influences on family systems. You'll also examine critiques of family systems theory, including feminist and postmodern perspectives, and learn to apply systemic assessments and treatment planning strategies using evidence-based frameworks and clinical tools.

Key Takeaways:

• Systemic Clinical Strategies: Apply family systems theory principles to better understand and intervene in relational problems.

• Cultural and Contextual Awareness: Assess client issues within broader sociocultural and intergenerational systems.

• Critical Evaluation Skills: Examine both the strengths and critiques of family systems theory to refine your clinical reasoning.

Why This Course?

• Learn from a Leading Expert: Dr. Hertlein is a prolific scholar and clinician whose work has transformed how professionals understand relationships and systemic treatment.

• Evidence-Based, Practical Focus: This isn’t just theory—this course delivers tools you can use in your sessions right away.

• Trusted CE Provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is committed to providing excellence in continuing education that supports your growth and improves client care.

Learning Objectives:

• Define concepts and principles of family systems theory and their clinical application.

• Summarize historical and contemporary developments pertaining to family systems theories.

• Apply critical thinking principles in the evaluation of family systems theory and its critiques.

• Assess couple/marital and family issues and therapeutic processes systemically.

Whether you're new to family systems thinking or want to reinvigorate your approach with fresh perspectives and strategies, this course offers a practical roadmap for elevating your work with individuals, couples, and families.

Enroll today and expand your systemic lens to create lasting therapeutic impact.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 6 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 6 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/20/2024. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 360 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement