This interview with Dr. Szapocznik reveals the importance of building an intervention on the foundation of empirical evidence and family systems theory. Szapocznik is the director of the Center for Family Studies and professor at the University of Miami. He is a chair of the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse. Szapocznik is also the…

Important contributions of "Individual Psychology" to marriage and family counseling are examined. Through "open forum family counseling," a framework is provided for infusing these ideas into training family practitioners. Key concepts, assessment techniques, strategies to help individuals understand their own family of…

Identifies and discusses six specific factors that distinguish group therapy from family therapy: epistemology, goals, membership, continuity, rules/norms, and power. The implications of these differences for therapist training and practice are discussed. (TE)

Responds to previous article's proposal to integrate first- and second-order therapies. Notes focus on deliberate ways to promote respectful stance in therapy. Considers limitations of intentional efforts and relationship of conscious mind to other natural orders of mind in living world. Suggests that therapist's deliberate efforts must be…

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how theory and particularly the theoretical perspective of social constructionism can influence the ways in which scholars conduct qualitative research studies in the area of family systems. The authors argue for the importance of theory in qualitative research projects and promote researchers' clear…

The concepts evolving from chaos theory can help clinicians identify patterns in family interactions that are critical for transformations to occur. This article explores a specific case example from such a perspective. Observation of how suicidal behavior becomes part of a pattern of family interaction offers a framework for clinicians to observe…

Clinical assimilation of the various methods of family therapy, while maintaining an analytic, self-psychology perspective gave rise to Complementary Narcissism's novel system's perspective of the individual in context. While Complementary Narcissism Theory is applicable to all families, its interventions are most effective with those families who…

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)

Adult children and their parents can learn ways of relating to each other so that the dignity of each is maintained. Carol Gilligan's moral-development framework is used to assess adult child and parent moral-reasoning level and its impact on intergenerational conflict. (Author/EMK)

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)

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)

Examines theoretical dilemmas arising from the polarization of family epistemologies into the pragmatic and the aesthetic. Examines the problem of ascertaining the truth of any theory, from three perspectives: truth as fact, coherence, and usefulness. Concludes with four advantages of applying systems theory to the theory and practice of family…

Discusses whether the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model takes a covert political stance which reinforces traditional gender roles in both family and therapist. Examines FFT's affirmation of existing political functions in the family as well as suggested therapist use of self. Discusses implications and recommends changes. (BH)

Challenges Russell and Morrill's (1989) assertion that a practical blending of Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) and systemic family therapy is possible. Cautions that a connection between these approaches be made only with an appreciation and respect for these schools' epistemological differences and correspondingly disparate cognitive change…