The authors make a case for using wiki technology in qualitative research. A wiki is an online database that allows users to create, edit, and/or reflect on the content of a web page. Thus, wiki technology can support qualitative research that attempts to understand the shared thinking of participants. To illustrate the use of the wiki for this…

This article explores how the topics of gender and diversity are being taught and defined in accredited marriage and family therapy programs through syllabi content analysis and interviews with selected faculty. We examined findings by program (master's and doctoral) and type of training (those that taught specific gender and culture courses and…

Some researchers have hypothesized that factors common across therapy models are largely responsible for change. In this study we conducted semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews with three different MFT model developers (Dr. Susan M. Johnson, Emotionally Focused Therapy; Dr. Frank M. Dattilio, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; and Dr.…

Proponents of the common factors movement in marriage and family therapy (MFT) suggest that, rather than specific models of therapy, elements common across models of therapy and common to the process of therapy itself are responsible for therapeutic change. This article--the second of two companion articles--reports on a study designed to further…

Attempts to demystify the process of conducting cost-effectiveness research by defining relevant terms and describing the necessary steps. Two previous cost-effectiveness studies of family-based treatment are briefly described to illustrate cost-analysis procedures that may be used in future family therapy research. (Author)

Discusses possible stressors and enhancers of marital and family life for the family therapist. The results are examined in terms of respondents' gender, work setting, theoretical orientation, number of hours worked, income, age, and marital status. (Author/BL)

Discusses basic theoretical assumptions underlying the process of family therapy education. The application of these assumptions is illustrated by the description of various teaching strategies that may be used in a wide range of graduate family therapy courses. (Author/JAC)

Examines the ethical and legal implications of adhering to treatment protocols in family therapy outcome research. Safeguards are proposed to minimize risks to subjects, and guidelines are suggested to prevent therapist deviation from treatment protocols. (Author)

Developed Feminist Family Therapist Behavior Checklist to identify feminist family therapy skills. Used checklist to rate family therapy sessions of 60 therapists in variety of settings. Checklist discriminated between self-reported feminists and nonfeminists, between men and women, and between expert categorizations of feminist and nonfeminist…

Presents an assessment process that focuses on interactional issues more congruent with family therapy. Discusses potential uses of a family assessment form and ways of introducing it into the community mental health delivery system. Illustrated with a case study. (Author/JAC)

Examined extent to which supervisory phone-ins were related to change in both immediate therapist behaviors and subsequent change in the resistant behaviors of client family members. Findings from 12 supervisors, 44 trainees, and trainees' clients revealed that quality of supervisors' Support-and-Teach behaviors was significantly related to change…

Discusses a Master's program exit interview that used questions from narrative therapy to celebrate the transition of Masters students into the world of marital and family therapy professionals. This process helps to underling students' agency and competence, and elevates them to the level of consultant during the interview. (Author/MKA)

Summarizes one attempt to encourage family therapy graduate students to examine their own evolving family therapy assumptions. Presents theory-building questions organized as prompts for family therapy education to challenge the student to think through his or her evolving theory. Describes how theory-building questions were used in recent…

Participatory evaluation research empowers the consumers of services to become leaders in evaluation and change. Participatory research methods have been used widely in developing countries and are consistent with family therapy's recent emphasis on nonhierarchical, empowering, collaborative therapies. Presents several examples of participatory…

Discusses the role that experiential therapy methods can play in qualitative family assessment. It is believed that these methods can be quite helpful in engaging families in a collaborative evaluation process. The advantages of qualitative assessment are presented as a complement to more quantitative family evaluation measures. (BF)