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Agency triangles: problems in agency-family relationships
Family Process
|December 1, 1983
Summary
Helping agents can inadvertently become part of the problem by forming "agency triangles." This occurs when one agency involves another, creating complex dynamics that can hinder effective client and family support.
Area of Science:
- Family Therapy
- Systems Theory
- Social Work
Background:
- Helping professions aim to resolve client issues.
- Inter-agency collaboration is common in complex cases.
- Unintended consequences can arise from collaborative efforts.
Observation:
- Helping agents, such as family therapists, can become entangled in client problems.
- Triangular patterns, termed 'agency triangles,' emerge when agencies involve others in their functions.
- These triangles often involve diffusing conflict between clients and their families.
Findings:
- Agency triangles develop when service systems (e.g., schools, courts, mental health centers) interact.
- These patterns can complicate or even exacerbate the issues being addressed.
- Case examples illustrate the formation and impact of agency triangles across various service systems.
Implications:
- Understanding agency triangles is crucial for effective therapeutic interventions.
- Preventing the formation of these triangles can improve client outcomes.
- Strategies for avoiding agency triangles are essential for ethical and effective practice.