Notes that systemic or interactional counseling approaches are based on alternative view of causality and symptomatic behavior, resulting in treatment, ethical, and legal challenges to counselor. Uses spouse abuse as example to review basic components of system approaches, identify potential problems inherent in their implementation, and offer…

Compares assumptions and practices emerging from family systems and feminist counseling. Examines nature of problem definitions; notions about power and appropriate sex roles in relationships; and characteristics of therapeutic relationship. Concludes that feminist perspective has potential for improving marital and family counseling. Suggests…