Discusses symptom production and symptom maintenance in terms of psychodynamic and system-oriented family therapy approaches. The conceptual and operational hypotheses of both approaches stem from different logics. Describes their different sets of data, lines of inquiry and treatment strategies. (Author/JAC)

Discusses the definition of a theoretical position on the termination of the intergenerational hierarchical boundary. Describes a therapeutic methodology for securing and completing a renegotiation of the power structures between the two generations. Implies that this therapeutic procedure has applicability to the resolution of behavioral…

Urges more dialog between and integration of feminist and family systems theories in order to expand clinicians' flexibility and effectiveness. Considers points of conceptual and pragmatic convergence as well as divergence between the two perspectives. Highlights issues for development of a structural/strategic family systems model. (RC)

A model lending itself to the classification of family therapy theories is presented. The importance of the role of feelings is stressed. Emphasis is placed on using a continuum of emotionality separately from rationality or activity in this model. (Author)

Marital and family therapy has gained credibility and emerged as a viable treatment approach for most mental health problems. The field is beginning to develop integrative conceptual models, utilize clinically relevant assessment techniques, conduct systematic outcome research, and develop preventative and enrichment programs. (Author)

Argues that personal experience and social life are inherently meaningful and that qualitative research designs can contribute to theory-building in counseling and psychotherapy. To illustrate the use of qualitative research designs and methods of analysis, a study of family members' views of family therapy is described. (RJM)

Replicated Everett's (1980) survey of Approved Supervisors of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Found significant differences in today's supervision including increase in female supervisors, shift toward systemic theoretical orientation, more supervisors in formal training settings, increase in video recording usage,…

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)

Describes a teaching strategy in which counselors-in-training vicariously work with clients according to various theoretical orientations for use in an introductory family-counseling course. An evolving vignette features a family in various developmental stages. Intergenerational transmission possibilities are introduced when trainees work with…

Looks at the importance of creativity in the context of family therapy. Examines creative techniques such as family sculpturing, family art therapy, puppetry, family drawings, and psychodrama. Focuses on the concept of creativity in prominent theories of counseling (i.e., humanistic, Gestalt, cognitive psychology) and the relation of divergent…

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…

Special characteristics of action-oriented approaches to therapy, cautions and tips for using these approaches, and sample activities are provided in this guide. An introductory section explains the relationship of action-based counseling to the traditional action-oriented methods and principles of Adlerian psychology and emphasizes the merit of…

Counselors whose specialty is marriage and family counseling develop a theoretical and research base and acquire countless hours of experience upon which to base their interventions. Most counselors and other helping professionals whose specialty is in another area do as well as they can lacking specific theoretical concepts and experience from…

At the request of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Research and Education Foundation of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy organized a series of 12 panels that focused on family issues in adolescent treatment. In these workshops, panelists discussed the importance of involving the…

Psychodynamic theory and family systems theories have come to represent competing orientations in the understanding of human behavior. This paper extends the quest for an integration of these perspectives. Maps ideas from one orientation onto constructs from the other. Case examples illustrate the ideas. (Author)