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)

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…

Proposes eight basic assumptions that seem to underly the practice of multigenerational family therapy, theory development, assessment, and research by a theoretically divergent group of family-oriented scholars and practitioners. (Author)

Rebutt's Dell's paper (1986) which laments the lack of conversation among pioneers in family therapy. The author, a pioneer himself, feels this generation of family therapists is bored and do not appreciate the process of development in the field. History of family therapy is reviewed in this context. (Author/ABL)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) provides an eight-phase emotionally corrective experience described as a "learning catalyst" for reprocessing traumatic events. The originator of EMDR discusses the experiences that influenced her innovative approach. EMDR is discussed as a learning catalyst, and many misconceptions about the…

Integrates recent concepts from the family therapy literature into three views: family as background, family as context, and family as a unit. Reviews and categorizes the family crisis intervention literature (56 publications) according to these three views. Examines clarity in how "family" is viewed and consistency between theory and practice.…

Examines the major principles and goals of contextual therapy and methods employed in its clinical application. A second article presents an interview with Dr. Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, who developed contextual family therapy. The interview ranges from Dr. Nagy's early training to the theoretical and clinical foundations of contextual family therapy.…

Illuminates a collaborative effort between the author and Dr. Arnold A. Lazarus, an internationally known presenter, author, and therapist. Many consider Lazarus to be a pioneer of behavior therapy and brief psychotherapy. Presents details about his unique perspective regarding therapy with couples and families. Provides case examples that…

Explores the sociopolitical implications of the new epistemology and the Milan approach, concluding that, while second order cybernetics has greater potential to incorporate a radical social analysis, it has, nevertheless, failed to do so. The application of second order cybernetics in family therapy appears to be constrained by the sociopolitical…