1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Family Systems Fundamentals: Understanding Relationships and Dynamics is presented by Rachel Jacoby, PhD.

Discover the essential principles and applications of family systems theory in our comprehensive introductory course. "Family Systems Fundamentals: Understanding Relationships and Dynamics" is designed for mental health professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of family dynamics and enhance their clinical practice.

In this engaging and informative program, participants explore the core concepts of family systems theory, learning how to identify and describe key elements such as homeostasis, boundaries, roles, and rules within family systems. Through case studies and practical examples, you'll gain the skills to analyze family interactions and dynamics, uncovering the intricate ways in which individual behaviors influence and are influenced by the family system.

This program provides you with the tools to apply family systems theory to real-world clinical situations, enabling you to use systemic thinking to inform assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies. Additionally, you will learn to evaluate the impact of family systems on individual development and functioning, recognizing the crucial role of familial relationships in shaping behavior and mental health outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the fundamental principles and key concepts of family systems theory, including homeostasis, boundaries, roles, and rules within family systems
  • 2 Describe the skills to analyze and interpret various family dynamics and interactions, understanding how individual behaviors influence and are influenced by the family system
  • 3 Describe how to apply family systems theory to real-world clinical situations, using systemic thinking to inform assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies
  • 4 Describe how family systems affect individual development and functioning, recognizing the importance of familial relationships in shaping behavior and mental health outcomes

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health professionals across all specialties who want to strengthen their understanding of family dynamics and apply systemic approaches to assessment and intervention with individuals, couples, and families.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Clinicians providing assessment, therapy, or consultation

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed to support mental health professionals at various stages of familiarity with family systems theory.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to family systems theory and seek foundational knowledge of its core concepts, terminology, and clinical applications.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some prior exposure to family systems theory and are looking to deepen their understanding and enhance their ability to analyze and apply systemic concepts in clinical practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Designed for clinicians practicing in varied clinical environments that serve individuals, couples, and families. Work typically occurs within multidisciplinary, system-oriented contexts emphasizing collaborative assessment and intervention delivered in person or virtually.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private practice and outpatient clinics
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital and behavioral health units
    • Integrated primary care/medical homes
    • School-based services and university counseling centers
    • Residential and intensive outpatient programs
    • Child and family services agencies
    • Telehealth platforms
Presented By

Rachel Jacoby, PhD

Dr. Jacoby is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Endorsements (LPCC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), Certified Trauma Practitioner, and Autplay therapist who passionately enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families. She is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. Dr. Jacoby values working with individuals on a personal and collaborative level; while building strong interpersonal relationships. With this consideration, Dr. Jacoby utilizes an existential-humanistic framework for her counseling relationships; while integrating evidence-based experiences through cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and narrative approaches. Dr. Jacoby’s clinical experiences include working with neurodiverse populations and individuals who have experienced trauma. Additionally, she values collaborative relationships to provide the best care to her clients, including working closely with families, schools, and allied medical professionals.  

As a counselor educator, Dr. Jacoby is passionate about enhancing the counseling field through education, leadership, and advocacy. She intentionally integrates creative approaches into her pedagogy.  Dr. Jacoby has held many leadership roles in organizations, including the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC), Northcentral Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES), Association of Humanistic Counseling (AHC), Ohio Counseling Association (OCA), and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI). She is currently the Past-Presdient for ACAC, serving as President in the 2022-2023 year. Dr. Jacoby is also a board member of the ACA Ethics Committee. She has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy work with the 2023 Robert H. Rencken Emerging Professional Leader award by the American Counseling Association and the 2021 Carol Bobby Pioneer for Visionary Leadership award presented by CACREP. 

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Overview of key theorists and concepts in family systems theory.

  • Detailed exploration of core principles such as homeostasis, boundaries, roles, and rules

  • Examination of family dynamics, including interaction patterns and feedback loops

  • Case study presentation and group discussion to identify and analyze family dynamics

  • Introduction to practical tools like genograms and ecomaps

  • An interactive activity where participants create and discuss genograms/ecomaps based on a hypothetical family scenario

  • Discussion on how family dynamics influence individual development and mental health.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, 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-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, 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-0073.