Marriage and family therapists (MFTs), who are trained in systems theory and consult with complex and difficult systems (e.g., couples and families), are uniquely suited to both assess and intervene in broader organizational systems. However, MFTs are in need of more systemically designed assessment tools to guide and inform their interventions…

The experiential humanistic family systems approach of Virginia Satir lacks a theoretical structure and is thus vulnerable to losing its experiential nature and being reduced to a mere collection of creative techniques. A way to effectively keep Satir's transformative presence alive is to integrate her approach with a model that is solidly…

Presents three articles discussing the concept of family homeostasis and the related concepts of family rules and family feedback. Includes a reply by Paul Dell citing the need for family therapy to go beyond homeostasis and further comments by Ariel, Carel, and Tyano. (JAC)

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)

Suggests an integrated systemic-psychodynamic approach to the treatment of characterological disorders within conjoint marital therapy. Draws from object relations and systemic therapies in developing a treatment approach to marriages which include at least one borderline personality disorder spouse. A case example illustrates the…

Considers the strengths and weaknesses of an integrative approach to family therapy. An integrative approach can explain a broad range of human behavior and can shape intervention strategy in a manner appropriate to each case. The potential pitfalls basically revolve around the complexity of practice. (JAC)

Presents the feminist critique of systems-based family therapy. Discusses the functions of "punctuation,""boundary," and "closure" in systemic epistemology. Explores implications of a new context for family therapy with respect to women's issues, clinical epistemology, and the challenge to raise novel questions in family therapy. (BH)

Discusses the problem of wife battering in a systemic framework. Reviews literature that bears most directly on a systemic understanding and treatment of wife battering and outlines a comprehensive approach to treatment as it might be utilized by marriage and family therapists. A case example is presented. (Author/JAC)

Responds to Duncan and Solovey's article describing the role of insight in strategic therapy. Considers the importance of self-understanding and insight into how past relationships affect the present to family therapy. Views strategic intervention as an important first step in change, asserting that it must be followed by greater…

Notes that one of most important ways of examining artistic works, and of explicating psychotherapeutic theories, has been the application of psychotherapy's ideas to works of art. Explores the Roman sculpture, the Laocoon, from systems point of view, discussing ways in which this work embodies family therapy concepts and how in turn those…

Examined the effects of group parent training on perceptions of marital satisfaction and compatibility between spouses (N=40). Results indicated an increase in parenting skills and increased marital satisfaction. (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)

Examines how changes in the family system may facilitate the role of parents as trainers of their autistic child. Describes a multilevel assessment process to help clinicans identify the needs of the child and family. Examines the child and family's behavior skills and identifies obstacles to change. (JAC)

Clarifies concepts of linearity and circularity as applied to marital and family therapy. Defines distinct and theoretically legitimate meanings of linearity (proportionality, unilaterality, temporality). Redefines circularity into two distinct meanings (recursivity and holicity). Concludes with call for continued deconstruction of social systems…

Discusses effective treatment of adolescents in long-term psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment centers and the need for a family treatment model that integrates a long-term psychodynamically oriented residential treatment approach with family systems theory. A four-stage model for working with families having a hospitalized adolescent…