Doctoral education is greatly impacted by context, and the large majority of marital and family therapy (MFT) doctoral programs are PhD programs in research-focused universities. I believe their primary mission is to equip students to become scientist-practitioners and do original research that will advance the science of the discipline, whereas…

The gap between clinical research and practice is a major challenge facing marriage and family therapy (MFT) training programs. Until now, the answer to bridge this gap has primarily been the Boulder Scientist-Practitioner Model. Although realistic for doctoral students, it may not be a good fit for MFT master's students who have primarily…

Despite the proliferation of supervision models, there is no evidence to suggest that any one model of supervision is in any way superior to any other. Many in the field have called for models that can bridge the various theoretical approaches to clinical supervision, and identify the essential elements of supervision. This article briefly…

Views treatment of sexual addiction within context of addiction and family therapy. Presents a case of sexual addiction and explicates an intervention model which emphasizes the importance of family participation in the treatment. (Author/NB)

Describes the therapy, assessment, and education principles of Functional Family Therapy and applies them to the treatment of inhibited sexual desire, using a case illustration. Functional Family Therapy works at motivating the couple to want change, rather than providing an understanding of underlying causes of the problem. (JAC)

Summarizes trends in theory and research on marriage and family therapy over the past decade. Finds particularly noteworthy the debates over the "new epistemology" and the feminist critique of family therapy. On basis of identified trends, makes recommendations for research in the 1990s. (Author/NB)

This paper uses a script theory framework to suggest why there are important attitude-behavior discrepancies concerning extramarital behavior, and how these differences affect therapy. Extramarital behavior emerges as a complex phenomenon which requires a high degree of knowledge, sensitivity, and recognition of individual differences on the part…

Explored common factors across theories of marriage and family therapy (MFT). Clinicians and researchers were asked to achieve consensus regarding common factors. Respondents were asked to report on commonalities across various MFT theories, as well as what they personally considered to be core the ingredients of change. Implications for training…

Reviews empirical studies related to divorce therapy both substantively and methodologically. Strong evidence exists for the superiority of mediation to traditional adversary methods for custody and visitation disputes. Conciliation counseling appears to increase the number of reconciliations in the short-term. Other conclusions must remain very…

Summarizes gaps between assumptions appearing in literature, research, and accepted standards for marital and family therapy (MFT) supervision, and the common practice of supervisors. Issues stemming from gaps are highlighted and recommendations made for closing them. In an effort to refine standard practice for MFT supervision, best practice…

Examines developments in empirical research in family therapy training since Kniskern and Gurman's (1979) review. Assesses present knowledge concerning training outcomes in marital and family therapy from six studies of the development of instruments for measuring the outcome of training and nine studies which actually evaluate training outcome.…

Resurgence of interest in marriage and family enrichment has propelled educators to examine the training of new therapists in preventive approaches to therapy. This article presents a graduate course to educate students about the enrichment movement and skill and competency based approaches to family interventions. (BF)

The interaction processes of 25 couples receiving marriage counseling were compared with a control group of 25 couples not receiving counseling. The study was a partial test of a circumplex model of marital and family systems. The major variable was adaptability. Creativity and support were also examined. (Author)

Discusses theoretical and clinical developments that have accompanied family therapy's entry into the postmodern era. Clinical trends, including use of reflecting teams, self-of-the-therapist issues, increased therapist self-disclosure, and postmodern supervision are examined. Feminist critiques, health-care reform, and increasing collaboration…

We discuss the status of the scientist-practitioner model in marriage and family therapy (MFT) doctoral programs. Issues discussed include a lack of faculty research role models in doctoral programs, "farming out" the majority of research courses to other disciplines, problems with curriculum, and how the culture of MFT does not support research.…