Friends in family therapy: use of a neglected resource

This article describes a rationale and methodology for expanding the therapeutic system to include clients' friends. Relevant literature and clinical research validate the resourcefulness of friends in dealing with the problems and developmental struggles from childhood to young adulthood. Examples are used to illustrate how consultation with friends can bridge generation gaps, provide positive peer pressure, foster increased perspective-taking and empathy for all members of the family, challenge family enmeshment, provide support for the client in the therapeutic process, and provide helpful child-management suggestions to parents based on the friends' experiences.