Presents a model for organizing presession and midsession therapy team conferences. Examines the risks in working in teams and proposes ways to counteract these risks, based on experiences at the Family Therapy Center at the Worcester Youth Guidance Center. (JAC)

Describes four interventions in brief family therapy, illustrated by case examples. Interventions are aimed at helping clients solve problems, and three assumptions about the nature of change are described. Results of these interventions suggest there is no clinical distinction between clients' perceived change and observed change. (JAC)

Explores the reliability of the categories used to describe family structure in structural family therapy. Five clinicians independently rated three initial conjoint family interviews. Results are discussed in terms of their demonstration of the utility of the structural nonmenclature, some conceptual problems in the structural nomenclature, and…

This paper summarizes the current use and abuse of co-therapy. The reported clinical experiences of several co-therapist teams, including spouse co-therapists, are also discussed. It appears that co-therapy will remain controversial until outcomes are rigorously measured and compared with the results of other therapeutic modalities in a…

Proposes a model for the understanding of the development of the cotherapy relationship. Discusses both developmental fixations and modes for enhancement of this relationship with particular reference to family therapy. (Author)

Discusses a pilot study in which joint consultations with a family therapist and a matrimonial attorney were offered to 10 couples and one woman contemplating divorce. Videotaped sessions. Suggests joint consultations can be useful in helping couples understand the psychological and legal implications of conflicts expressed during separation.…

Presents an approach to family therapy where a group of observers becomes part of a therapeutic team by introducing strategic messages into the sessions. Messages are described in terms of five components: function, target, timing, content, and delivery. Suggests guidelines for effective team functioning and discusses implications for training.…

Uses family systems theory to conceptualize family dissolution and child custody disputes. Describes a family assessment model involving a therapy team with each member responsible for a family subsystem. The role of each therapist and the functioning of the team is outlined. Criteria for determining custody recommendations are identified. (JAC)

Addresses clinical and methodological issues in conducting the Marital Systems Study, a research project evaluating the efficacy of systems-oriented conjoint treatment with couples in which one spouse is abusing alcohol. These include standardizing and monitoring the intervention and developing an interactional perspective on the alcohol-related…