Limitations of family therapy

Abstract

This paper concerns inself with therapeutic difficulties in marital and family therapy due to an inability to resolve value discrepancies between the therapist and the family in question. The guarded prognosis due to lack in motivation to change is reinforced by the presence of chronic pathology, cultural differences, and the unwillingness or inability of the family/couple to engage in a valid therapeutic contract. This is especially true when acting-out adolescents are involved. This, and the limitations imposed by an agency and a private practice setting, is exemplified to two case illustrations. Clinical course, details, and psychodynamics are discussed as are the pros and cons of treating such families. Recommendations concerning modifications in techniques of intervention are made. The cases lead to the conclusion that while traditional (or even untraditional) psychotherapeutic procedures are likely to prove ineffective, an analysis of negative outcomes might help to devise strategies to cope with such families and lead to further theory building. References to the pertinent literature are made.