Postmodern and evidence-based practice (EBP) are compared and contrasted with the primary aim of adapting evidence-based practice with a more flexible epistemological lens. We begin by reviewing the epistemological underpinnings of postmodern and EBP within the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). We next discuss how these contrasting…

Asserts that therapists perceived as having strong spiritual orientation face challenges, especially when one spouse views him/herself as "spiritually one-up" and wants therapist to form spiritually based coalition against other. Describes dilemmas that therapists may face when clients perceive them as having spiritual expertise and presents…

Surveyed literature in family therapy, social work, and psychology to determine most important characteristics of beginning marriage and family therapist. Found that no set of skills could be derived empirically. Surveyed experienced counselor educators (N=372) to determine characteristics they found important. Found approximately one-half of the…

Explores role played by personality attributes of family therapist in facilitating and or inhibiting one's adherence to variety of approaches to family practice using experienced family therapists (N=156). Found personality attributes of family therapist did play role in predicting adherence to belief and action systems unique to particular…

Investigates the relative contributions of social desirability attitudes, previous number of multicultural counseling courses taken, and racism and White racial identity attitudes together in predicting therapists' self reported multicultural counseling competence. Results revealed, when controlling for social desirability attitudes and courses…

Describes four interventions frequently used by experiential therapists during the trial of labor to foster greater intimacy in the therapy relations. Presents a brief overview of the trial of labor stage of the therapy process followed by a description of the four interventions. Includes case examples for clarification. (Author/KS)

Presents guidelines for clinicians to observe in building and practicing a personal integrative method in family therapy. Focuses on the need for a personal paradigm, the assimiliation of aspects of scholastic approaches, the role of the person of the therapist, the adaptation of the model to specific cases, and the pathways toward developing a…

Summarizes gaps between assumptions appearing in literature, research, and accepted standards for marital and family therapy (MFT) supervision, and the common practice of supervisors. Issues stemming from gaps are highlighted and recommendations made for closing them. In an effort to refine standard practice for MFT supervision, best practice…

Explored development of seasoned marriage and family therapists (MFTs) in order to identify important events and themes in their personal and professional lives. The main developmental theme that emerged was the integration of personal and professional lives. Results might partially provide a map of possible transitions facing MFTs along their…

Examines developments in empirical research in family therapy training since Kniskern and Gurman's (1979) review. Assesses present knowledge concerning training outcomes in marital and family therapy from six studies of the development of instruments for measuring the outcome of training and nine studies which actually evaluate training outcome.…

Examined the relationship between beginning therapists' personalities and their evaluations of three divergent family therapy styles. Sixty clinical and counseling psychology students completed the Adjective Checklist and three friends/family members rated them. Self-rated personality factors of dominant-masculinity and nurturant-femininity were…

Content analysis of 23 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Master Series tapes was used to determine how well feminist behaviors have been incorporated into ideal family therapy practice. Feminist behaviors were infrequent, being evident in fewer than 3% of time blocks in event sampling and 10 of 39 feminist behaviors of the…

Behavior of 5 supervisors, 19 trainee family therapists, and 20 clients before, during, and after 88 live supervisory phone-in events was examined to determine the correlates of client cooperation. Isomorphism between behavior of supervisor and therapist was not associated with subsequent client cooperation, nor was any particular category of…

Presents a management-of-self model of supervision for graduate training in marriage and family therapy. Suggests that as the supervisee comes to understand how family of origin and family constellation patterns are reenacted within the therapeutic context, he/she can then interrupt those patterns of interaction that inhibit effectiveness. (JAC)

Presents an interventive, consultative method designed to elicit and promote resource-based language between client families and therapists. Through reflective dialogue participants were encouraged to consider different views and beliefs about themselves, each other, and their process together. Use of this process added heightened awareness and…