Previous ethnographic studies have suggested that debriefing can have positive effects on the therapeutic process. This research project attempts to augment the previous work in this area by comparing and contrasting clients' perceptions of their therapists' role as debriefer vis-a-vis a third-party debriefer. (Author/MKA)

Highlights role of the therapist in family therapy impasses involving interactions of the client-family and the therapist. Asserts that the essence of the therapist's role in impasses is ignorance and fear and recommends that family therapy teachers help therapists develop wisdom and courage. (Author/NB)

The training models of two schools of family therapy in Italy are compared on the basis of the logical level of intervention practiced at each school. The relational context in each program, the therapeutic style taught, and selected characteristics of each clinical method are examined. (Author)

Reviews the empirical research on divorce mediation with regard to: (1) the overall effectiveness of mediation, especially compared to the traditional use of lawyers; (2) the kinds of divorce conflicts in which mediation has been found most effective; and (3) mediator behaviors most often correlated with success. The existing studies are solely of…

Surveyed 310 therapists to assess their perceptions of healthy family functioning and the goals of family therapy. Results indicated that therapists are fairly consistent in what they say a healthy family is and what they pursue in therapy. Age and professional identity were most influential in predicting values. (LLL)

Focuses on the problems that family therapists, typically middle-class and from the majority culture, may have in adopting culturally sensitive perceptions and appropriate techniques. Discusses critical issues in culturally conscious family therapy and presents classical family therapy techniques as they might be modified for Mexican-American or…

Assesses the theoretical perspectives of marriage and family counselors (N=204). Results show that 43.6% of participants primarily adhere to the systems paradigm; 42.2% practice from a combination of paradigms; while the social constructionism is used by 13.7%. Predictor variables included the current of most recent supervisor's preferred…

Investigates the relationship between therapists' perceived knowledge level in the area of child development and their actual knowledge level, as measured by an assessment instrument developed to measure child development knowledge within a therapeutic setting. Results revealed respondents felt they were knowledgeable in the area of child…

Differentiates skills needed for work with multicultural families from skills needed for mainstream Anglo-American families. Notes that multicultural family therapist needs to be more aware of cultural diversity, more sensitive to differences in cultural nuances by avoiding stereotyping, and more flexible than in dealing with mainstream families.…

If the family therapist can transfer to the court context the art of influencing interpersonal situations, the effectiveness of his/her testimony will be enhanced. Describes predictable legal behaviors and suggests to the family therapist strategic responses to improve skills as an expert witness. (Author)