Marital crisis and therapy in their social context

The objective in this paper is to analyze the macro-social trends regarding divorce in Israel and their implications for family therapy. Four macro-social aspects are discussed: legal aspects, demographic trends, single-parenthood, and remarriage. Family therapy strategy must take into account the particular problems of the different varieties of Israeli families, especially the needs of the children, who have no less a stake in the therapy's success than their parents.     

No regrets: Custodial mothers' accounts of the difficulties and benefits of divorce

This study examines the accounts of 80 divorced single mothers in order to consider various emotional processes involved in the mothers' postdivorce family reorganization. A qualitative analysis was conducted on written responses to an open-ended question. Concerns tended to center around how the divorce had affected the children as well as various difficulties associated with single parenting. Loss and guilt on the part of many mothers was tempered by positive attributions about how divorce actually gave way to greater personal happiness, better parent-child relationships, and more rewarding lives. Focusing on the benefits of divorce appeared to be an important means of coping with many of the problems inherent in single parenting. Implications for treatment are discussed from an ecological perspective which emphasizes the therapist's role in helping mothers to create contexts of support.This research was funded in part by grant number 9103 from the Women's Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.     

Wild (powerful) women: Restorying gender patterns

This paper addresses the use of the stories to help redefine gender expectations in relationships, creating a more active, powerful female voice. In particular, the popular bookWomen Who Run With the Wolves by Claudia Pinkola Estes is examined in context of other literature about women. Case examples demonstrating the application of such stories to marriage and family therapy are included.     

Family therapy in israel: A review of therapy done under unusual circumstances

Major issues affecting family therapy practice in Israel are discussed. Issues making family therapy in Israel unique include historical topics such as the legacy of the Holocaust, the emergence of the family therapy movement from the cradle of the kibbutz; and more recent events such as constant wars, the specter of terrorist threat, and coping with the everyday pressures of life in Israel—stress, loss, and bereavement. Future trends in family therapy in the Israeli context include the peace process and the adjustment it requires from families living in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. The advent of peace and normalization will force family therapists to grapple with issues until now not given the attention they require by a country always on the brink of war, including family violence, feminist issues and patriarchal family orientations, single-parent families, and cultural diversity.The authors would like to acknowledge the help of Israel Charny, Yael Geron, Tzipi Glick, Ruth Malkinson, Judith Wertheimer, and Susan Zeidel.     

Stories and metaphors as interventions with headache sufferers

Stories and metaphors can serve as an effective intervention with chronic headache sufferers. Stories and metaphors can serve as an effective intervention with chronic headache sufferers. The aim of the intervention is to promote sufferers' self confidence, increased resiliency, improved communication with others in the family, and the identification of previous promises, pledges, or commitments made to others in their family system.     

Trust and the collection,selection, analysis and interpretation of data: A scientist’s view

Trust is a critical component of research: trust in the work of co-workers and colleagues within the scientific community; trust in the work of research scientists by the non-research community. A wide range of factors, including internally and externally generated pressures and practical and personal limitations, affect the research process. The extent to which these factors are understood and appreciated influence the development of trust in scientific research findings.     

Hiring family therapists for a research project via videotaped interviews: A brief report

The authors describe an interview procedure devised for use in hiring therapists for a research and demonstration project in which the employers viewed videotaped interviews of applicants responding to a standard set of questions posed by an on-site researcher/interviewer. The approach is considered potentially useful for agencies to use in hiring therapists with a systemic orientation.     

Gender identity and family relationships: Perspectives from incestuous fathers

The purpose of this study was to understand how incestuous fathers constructed their gender identities and family relationships and to determine how these perceptions were linked to incest. Analysis of intensive interviews with 20 incest offenders suggested that incest occurred in context of entitlement stemming from masculine gender constructions and family experiences which lead to conflicts regarding control and intimacy and a build up of failure. Case illustrations and implications for clinical practice are addressed.