Defines contextual therapy as therapeutic synthesis of family (relational), biological, and individual (psychotherapy) methodologies. Translates the ethics of "relational responsibility" into intervention methods and strategies. Explores consequences of the therapies as a common denominator for the three philosophies. (Author/ABB)

Describes how dialectic metatherapy may be used to integrate various dimensions of human development as they pertain to symptom formation and therapy. A dialectical conceptualization of therapy allows one to systematically organize individually and systematically oriented ideas. Points out the paradoxical nature of therapy and how to use this…

Addresses the need to approach understanding the individual patient's psychopathology from the vantage point of psychoanalytic object relations theory and family systems theory. The complementarity of these approaches is emphasized. The process of internalization and projection are bridging concepts. Marital relationships provide a unique research…

Holistic epistemology of systems must neither reify the system nor obscure the dynamics of the members. The sometimes diverging perspectives of the psychodynamic/growth and structural/strategic approaches actually converge in the realization that personal experiencing and social structure are not dichotomous phenomena but are related through the…

The physical abuse of children by their parents is a family matter and should be viewed within the context of the family unit. Discusses methodological considerations and parent-related aspects of abusing families, including: characteristics, childhood experiences, and marital relationships of abusing parents. (Author)