Continuing education & training

Abstract

Abstract The Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy continues to be a pioneer in enlarging the application of family systems theory to other contexts and in redefining clinical experience to bring fresh understanding to the continuing evolution of family system theory. In this issue two recent conferences sponsored by the Ackerman Institute are reviewed. The first, “Professional Systems and the Family, “focused on the interfaces among family therapists and professionals in education, health care and human resources. Dr. Howard Weiss in reviewing that Conference clearly defines the intricate issues involved in such bridging endeavors, and enables us to see how professionals in different but related fields are striving to gain mutual understanding and to develop collaborative approaches through the common understanding facilitated by a family systems approach. In the second conference, “Family Systems Over Time: The Fourth Dimension,” the reviewer, Jim Sheehan, presents highlights which were especially focused by the dialogues with participating British colleagues. The fact that a sister conference is scheduled for London is an indication that the dimension of time is receiving new emphasis in clinical work. Opinions have fluctuated as to the importance of history in both providing understanding and in facilitating change. Recent attention to the family life cycle, particularly emphasized in the work of Carter and McGoldrick, has brought renewed interest not only to cross-generational issues but to the possibility of future duplications within the contexts of family, work and social systems. -I. A.