Characteristics of a corporate family style of functioning are defined. Crisis is seen coming from a disruption in the support system of one or more members of the family. The objective of treatment is to reinforce the family without necessarily changing their values or style of functioning. (Author)

Discusses symptom production and symptom maintenance in terms of psychodynamic and system-oriented family therapy approaches. The conceptual and operational hypotheses of both approaches stem from different logics. Describes their different sets of data, lines of inquiry and treatment strategies. (Author/JAC)