Examines issues involved in conceptualizing consultation from systems framework. Discusses language for understanding and implementing systems interventions. Describes systems as interacting multilevel dynamic structures that affect and are affected by meaning structures used by members. Notes that consultants can learn to use reframing and other…

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)

Reviews several general conceptual models that facilitate consultant's conceptual work. Notes that fundamental to effectiveness of consultation is consultant's ability to empower consultees conceptually. Presents and discusses several principles related to achieving this objective. Concludes with discussion targeted to objective of integrating…

Describes a newly developing mode of problem-oriented brief therapy. The systemic therapy model emphasizes the interactional context of clients' problems and represents an efficient intervention paradigm. (Author/JAC)

Suggests that the Milan systemic approach probably reflects a significant advance in family therapy and possibly in psychotherapy in general. Provides a historical overview of the development of the approach, an articulation of some major assumptions and background theory, and a brief description of the overall pattern of practice. (Author/JAC)

Presents theory and typology of marital quality. Outlines three-corners model--systems theory of the self-in-marriage. Describes seven types of marital relationships in terms of systems theory, including four variants of high-quality marriage. Highlights model through critical assessment of Lewis and Spanier's (1979) essay on marital quality and…

Considers addictions and construct of codependence. Offers critical review and synthesis of codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. Presents theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research in this…

The author states that many career development programs lack strategic attention to one or more system components in the model composed of content, process, and structure. He discusses how to fit career development activities into a model that addresses each component. (CH)

Describes a systems framework for conceptualizing and delivering paradoxical interventions (where the counselor tells the family what to do with the expectation of noncompliance) during family therapy. Notes appropriate times for use of paradox, and potential problems with this intervention. (WAS)

Discusses research in counseling and psychotherapy, analyzes and critiques the most popularly used meta-models, i.e. those that guide and delimit applied theory, and research. Develops and advocates the use of a systems paradigm for future research. (RC)

Presents results of study of effectiveness of family systems approaches to resolve school behavior problems used at school attendance and review board (SARB), referred to as mini-SARB because team meeting takes place at school level. Includes background and demographic data and description of mini-SARB process (beliefs/assumptions, team roles,…

This report offers a theoretical approach to the study of family adaptation to stress. Major works pertaining to family theory, research, and stress, published since 1979, are explored as a theoretical framework, and three conclusions are drawn from these sources: (1) Hill's ABCX model of family stress still influences family stress research; (2)…

Argues that family therapy is failing to attend to the contexts in which family mental health services are provided. Presents a model for describing the institutional contexts of family mental health treatment in North America, and explores how these contexts influence family treatment, using 3 levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary care.…

Presents a brief model which integrates an individual, cognitive-behavioral approach with a strategic approach to therapy, at both pragmatic and theoretical levels. Justifies the selective use of behavioral frames in strategic therapy in this Strategic-Behavioral model, and offers guidelines for their selective application. Presents and discusses…

Discusses need for systems-based approach to quality assurance in mental health services, which can provide useful information to administrators and practitioners as they work to maintain or improve quality of care provided to patients. Introduces generic model for monitoring and evaluating quality of care and discusses potential barriers to its…