Rationale and directions for an increased emphasis on the therapeutic relationship in family therapy

This paper argues the need for an increased emphasis on the therapeutic relationship in family therapy. The ways in which the field of family therapy has eschewed the importance of the therapeutic relationship are discussed. Therapeutic alliance research from the field of individual psychotherapy and research on the importance of relationship factors to family therapy are reviewed. Suggestions for family therapy theory, practice, and research are presented.An earlier version of this article was presented at the 1992 Western Canadian Conference on Family Practice.     

A gender-informed model of couple and family therapy: Relationship enhancement therapy

The key elements of gender-informed couple therapy are discussed with an emphasis on the significance of empathy and dialogue and the structuring of a context in which both can occur. Relationship Enhancement therapy, a psycho-educational and client-centered approach developed by Guerney (1977) is described and illustrated as one method of operationalizing a constructivist-systemic approach to couple therapy in which a conversation toward profound changes in gender relationships can take place.     

Myths of brief family therapy task intervention

The steps of brief treatment promoted by Watzlawick, Weakland and Fisch (1974) and Haley (1976, 1987) elude the novice family practitioner, especially in deriving end-of-the session task interventions from earlier assessment. The gap between the suggested procedure and the beginning clinician's results is just starting to surface in brief therapy research. This paper compares the above authors' interactional and problem-solving approaches, contextualizing their theories in light of training issues emerging from preliminary research. The ensuing myths of brief family therapy task intervention typically espoused by the neophyte are thus demystified, making what experience teaches more accessible.     

Alcoholism treatment and marriage and family therapists: An empirical study

This article reports on results of a mail questionnaire study conducted among 257 members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (132 respondents, response rate of 51%) on their attitudes toward alcoholism issues (acceptance of alcoholism as a disease, treatment philosophies used with clients and/or families, and acceptance and use of Alcoholics Anonymous as a resource). Results indicated that 69% of respondents (as compared with 42% formerly) considered alcoholism a disease after MFT education. A combination of individual, family therapy, and AA (81.1%); family therapy (66.7%); and AA only (60.6%) were most often used. Controlled use of alcohol by clients in treatment was believed to be unethical by 43.2%, legal by 39.4% and ineffective by 54.5%.     

Storm clouds are coming: Ways to help couples reconstruct the crisis of infertility

This paper examines the crisis of infertility; takes into account several theoretical considerations, exploring the socially constructed cultural-historical definitions of infertility and the definitions and meanings which flow from these constructions; the family life cycle Stressors which influence the couple's psychological reaction; and the mourning and grieving process of infertility. Therapeutic interventions using a constructivist theoretical framework are presented. By assisting the couple to reconstruct the crisis of infertility, over a period of time, family therapists can help couples to visualize a future in which the fertility problem plays a minor role.Steven Dobkin, MA, holds a master's degree in marriage and family counseling from Hofstra University.     

Resistance in family logotherapy

The author describes a logotherapy view of family resistance and its occurrence in a variety of family situations. In family logotherapy resistance is understood as a manifestation of the human fear of meaning, which is a reaction to the family's discomfort with the two side effects of meaning awareness: vulnerability and responsibility.     

Perceptions of primary family therapy supervisory techniques: A critical incident analysis

This study surveyed a randomly selected group of Approved Supervisors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (n=275) and their supervisees (n=266) on their perceptions of the primary supervisory technique used in supervisory incidents that had a positive effect on supervisee development. Individual case consultation was the technique most often identified by both supervisors and supervisees.This study was funded in part by grants from the Research Committee of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; the Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University; and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Purdue University Calumet.     

Marital and family therapy supervision: A relational-attachment model

Drawing from attachment theory, this article presents a collaborative marriage and family therapy supervisory model which both advocates and demonstrates a relational and an educational construct for facilitating the supervisory process. Issues concerning cognition and anxiety management are addressed in the context of attachment theory and stages in the supervisory process are identified. Cognitive, emotional, and social development are linked to attachment theory and discussed in the context of supervision.     

A qualitative understanding of reflective-teams II: Therapists' perspectives

A research team developed and asked questions to a reflective-team about their clinical practice. The purpose of the questions was to better understand reflective-team members' experiences, beliefs, and aspirations. A participant/observation methodology was used in formulating the questions to the therapists. Therapists stated that reflective-teams were valuable in resolving impasses, developing multiple perspectives on clients' problems, and encouraging interaction among team members, but were problematic if clients were unaccustomed to team practice or if there were physically too many people in the interviewing room. Therapists believed that reflective-teams as a team practice was not practical in typical practice settings.