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.

This program is designed for beginner-level mental health professionals across all specialties.

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 for beginner-level mental health professionals across all specialties who want to strengthen their understanding of family dynamics. Participants are likely to work in clinical, counseling, or community mental health settings where they provide assessment, therapy, or consultation with individuals, couples, and families.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for early career professionals or those with limited experience in family systems approaches.

  • Practice Setting

    • Clinical and counseling practices

    • Community mental health centers

    • Hospitals and healthcare organizations

    • School-based mental health services

    • Agencies providing family or couples therapy

Presented By

Rachel Jacoby, PhD, PhD

Dr. Rachel Jacoby is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor in Ohio. She is currently a visiting faculty member at Palo Alto University. Dr. Jacoby has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She 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 the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and narrative approaches. Dr. Jacoby’s clinical experiences include working with individuals who have experienced anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, and self-esteem work. She values collaborative relationships to provide best care to her clients, including working closely with families, schools, and allied medical professionals. She finds advocacy for all individuals to be crucial to the counseling process. She is currently the president of the Association of Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Rachel Jacoby, PhD

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.