The common factors debate conducted on the pages of this and other major family therapy journals has evolved toward a preliminary consensus that the therapist plays a crucial role in activating and effectively bundling common and model-specific factors in the delivery of successful treatment. However, Blow, Sprenkle, and Davis (2007) remain…

The clinical experience of a Euro-American female counselor-in-training providing bilingual family therapy services to Mexican immigrants is described. Cultural themes encountered when applying academic discourse to clinical work are raised in the context of case studies in which the student therapist works from a postmodern client-as-expert…

Counselors pride themselves on their developmental focus; however, they have generally only applied phasic theories to counseling practice and have not incorporated constructive "stage" theories into clinical work. This article begins to rectify that lack by explicating the relevance of Kegan's subject-object theory for counseling practice, by…

Presents an interview with Jay Haley, an acclaimed pioneering therapist and master teacher. He is one of the founders of family therapy and has written 19 books on various aspects of therapy. (GCP)

Examines the tendency to construct genograms in an affective vacuum--a phenomenon consistent with Bowen theory, yet potentially problematic in the ongoing process of treatment. Offers alternatives to nonprocess-oriented genogram construction in an effort to enhance the experience for the client and to broaden the therapist's diagnostic…

Surveyed members of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (N=426) regarding the utilization of marital and family therapy models in clinical work. The number and percentage of respondents using each model specified were assessed. Rankings denoting prevalence of the eight models were derived from first-choice responses. (JAC)

Discusses the therapeutic process inherent in the work of Virginia Satir. Major conceptualizations and interventions are explored, including historical background; philosophical assumptions; basic operational principles; therapeutic goals; and basic techniques. (BH)

Explores family therapy theory as it relates to the training of novice family counselors. Recent advances in the field have complicated the decision regarding what theories should be taught in introductory courses. Questions are posed concerning whether the traditional theories should be taught as they were originally conceptualized or whether…

Presents an interview with Everett L. Worthington, Jr., a clinical psychologist active broadly within the marriage and family counseling fields, as well as the Christian counseling movement. He sees himself as a bridge among the secular academic community, the general population, and broader religious populations. Describes his interests and…

Argues that the family and the enterprise of family therapy are social systems and under the influence of the ideology particular to a given society. The strategic family therapy treatment of a family with a drug-addicted member serves as an example to clarify the ideological themes of contemporary family therapy. (Author/BL)

Considers the strengths and weaknesses of an integrative approach to family therapy. An integrative approach can explain a broad range of human behavior and can shape intervention strategy in a manner appropriate to each case. The potential pitfalls basically revolve around the complexity of practice. (JAC)

Used a multidimensional content analysis to compare four expert counselors' approaches to family treatment. Two common change factors in family counseling were proposed: disruption of the existing balance of power among family members and education in the nature and strength of family systems. (JAC)

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a well-validated, evidenced-based treatment for serious clinical problems presented by adolescents and their families. This article is an introduction to the MST approach and outlines key clinical features, describes the theoretical underpinnings, and discusses the empirical support for MST's effectiveness with a…

Presents an interview with Peggy Papp, a faculty member at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, where she is director of the Depression in Context Project. The Interview focuses on Papp's journey to becoming a marriage and family therapist and her role as a leader in field of feminist therapy. (GCP)

Although many individuals living in poverty are referred for family counseling services via schools, court systems, and social service agencies, theories have failed to provide an adequate framework for treatment. This article addresses the common principles of the multisystems approach and feminist family therapies and how they can be applied in…