Core relational themes (CRTs) are a relatively new concept in the field of family therapy. They are thought to be broad, underlying patterns of interaction between family members that can influence how family members relate to one another and how they function as a unit (McGoldrick, Gerson, & Petry, 2019). CRTs are distinct from surface-level behaviors, such as arguing or expressing love, and instead encompass a deeper, emotional level of relating that can sometimes be difficult to observe.
The concept of CRTs was first introduced by family therapist Monica McGoldrick in the early 1990s (McGoldrick, Gerson, & Petry, 2019). Since then, the idea has been studied and developed further. In particular, researchers have sought to identify common CRTs that affect family relationships across cultures and contexts. These have been found to include themes such as equality, autonomy, and respect, as well as communication, trust, and love (McGoldrick, Gerson, & Petry, 2019).
CRTs are thought to be particularly important in family therapy. By understanding the underlying patterns of interaction between family members, therapists can better target interventions that will help the family to make lasting, meaningful changes (McGoldrick, Gerson, & Petry, 2019). For example, if a family is struggling with communication, the therapist can focus on working with the family to improve their communication skills.
In addition to providing a useful framework for family therapy, CRTs can also be used to understand how families interact in other contexts, such as schools or workplaces. For example, if a school is trying to create a more positive, cooperative environment, they might focus on fostering communication, trust, respect, and equality among students and staff.
Overall, core relational themes provide an important framework for understanding family relationships. By identifying the underlying patterns of interaction between family members, therapists and other professionals can better understand how families function and develop interventions that are tailored to the needs of the family.
References
McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Petry, S. (2019). Genograms: Assessment and intervention (4th ed.). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.