Integrating couples and family therapy into a community alcohol service: a pantheoretical approach

This paper discusses the contribution of family systems theory and therapy to mainstream alcohol treatment programmes. Systemic psychotherapy is integrated with group analytic psychotherapy in a couples and family therapy service within a community alcohol service (CAS) which uses the Prochaska and Diclemente model of stages of change. Problems and solutions in putting these complex ideas into practice are discussed, with specific reference to issues of engagement. An example of our work with a couple is offered to illustrate our weave of theory and practice.