Development Of Family Therapy Research Articles

Editorial:Narrative‐BasedApproaches in Psychological Research and Practice

Editorial:<scp>Narrative‐Based</scp>Approaches in Psychological Research and Practice

Toward an Integrative Approach: Refiguring Essential Developments in Family Therapy

ABSTRACTIt is highlighted that the application of general system theory (GST) – including the developments from the intrapsychic to interpsychic and the lineal to nonlineal perspective – to the family, consolidated the field of family therapy, itself. A limitation, however, was the excessive emphasis on the system as self-regulating; this emphasis also obscuring a sine qua non of this approach, namely, observation of interaction. Accordingly, it is recommended that an earlier name – one accentuating interaction and circumventing emphasis on self-regulation – the “interactional” approach, be retained as a more suitable designation of this approach. This development was followed by narrative therapy. In applying the narrative metaphor, though, narrative therapy incurs an error of logical typing by confusing: (a) the observer’s frame of reference (i.e., observing is subjective); with (b) inferences about another’s frame of reference (i.e., the intrapsychic perspective). This, with an unsubstantiated claim that the narrative metaphor is preferable to the system one, resulted in the developments of the intrapsychic to interpsychic perspective and the interactional approach being unnecessarily discarded. The interactional approach thus serves an extraordinary development; observing psychopathology as a communicational or interactional difficulty. Returning to narrative therapy, its emphasis – as an application of postmodernism – on the frame of reference constitutes an extremely significant contribution. Furthermore, its attention to meaning and interpretation reemphasizes the significance of the intrapsychic perspective. Also, narrative therapy’s sensitivity to the client represents a profound reemphasis of the significance of a humanistic, person-centered approach. Having refigured these developments, the paper concludes with reflections about a truly integrative approach.

Forty years of eating disorder-focused family therapy – the legacy of ‘psychosomatic families’

ABSTRACTMinuchin, Rosman and Baker published Psychosomatic families. Anorexia nervosa in context in 1978, which is the culmination of their work in developing a conceptual model of anorexia nervosa (and diabetes and asthma) that would inform a model of family intervention. The psychosomatic family model itself has been challenged empirically, through the development of family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa and last, but not least, through the increased understanding of the complex aetiology of anorexia nervosa. The positive outcomes of Minuchin and colleagues series and the description of their interventions came to form the basis for research and treatment that has influenced the field in reaching a position where we see families as a solution rather than a problem, the best resource to aid their child's recovery.

Putting the “Family” Back Into Family Therapy

In this article, we examine the field of family therapy by drawing a distinction between two forms of practice: Whole Family Therapy (WFT), defined as treating the whole family, and Relational Family Therapy (RFT), defined as working with a subsystem of the family or an individual while retaining a systemic lens. Our thesis is that the practice of WFT has been in decline for some time and steps must be taken to keep it from becoming a defunct practice. We consider the trajectory of WFT and RFT throughout the development of family therapy through reference to the people, the literature, training, and practice patterns associated with family therapy. We remind the reader of the many benefits of WFT and suggest that today WFT is likely to be practiced in conjunction with RFT and individual therapy. Since training of family therapists today is largely located in degree-granting programs, we identify constraints to including WFT in such programs. We conclude by offering suggestions that can enhance a program's ability to train students in WFT.

Interviewing Maurizio Andolfi Downunder

In this interview Aldo Gurgone interviews Maurizio Andolfi, Professor of Psychology at La Sapienza, University of Rome, Director of the Academia di Psicoterapia Familiare in Rome and Editor-in Chief of Terapia Familiare. Andolfi is currently living in Perth and conducting training workshops in family therapy throughout Australia. Aldo Gurgone is a clinical psychologist, well-known relationship therapist and Director of the William Street Family Therapy Centre in Perth. In the interview Maurizio describes his early training and work with key figures in U.S. family therapy like Whitaker and Minuchin and discusses his unique multigenerational experiential approach to family therapy, which uses the problem child as a consultant, the family as a resource and highlights using the self of the therapist. In a postscript there is a dialogue between Andolfi and the editor of ANZJFT about the development of family therapy in Italy and Australia.

Family Therapy for Adolescent Eating Disorders: An Update

Family therapy has featured in the treatment of adolescent eating disorders for over 40years, and the evolution of family therapy approaches, through a variety of theoretical lenses, has been significant. For instance, the recent dissemination of family-based treatment has resulted in a growing number of controlled empirical trials which continue to inform and augment treatment outcomes. In addition, a burgeoning number of alternate approaches to family therapy for eating disorders leave clinicians with more clinical considerations in practicing family therapy for eating disorders. In this paper, we aim to review the recent developments in family therapy for adolescent eating disorders, underscoring the impact on clinical practice and the likely implications for future research.

Editors Introduction to the Special Issue on International Developments in Family Therapy

The purpose of this special issue is to consider the current state of the field in as many areas of the world as possible. The first goal was to build connections between people. People who share some similar ideas about the importance of family therapy, family involvement in care, or systemic approaches to family support, could look in one location find others of similar interests. Our second goal was to satisfy a curiosity. We wondered about what is happening in places other than our own. My initial consultations with members of the CoFT Editorial Board confirmed that many of them shared a similar interest and many of them agreed to contribute to the project. The result is a remarkable collection of ideas, developments, and thinking about how the field ‘‘stands’’ in different places. Forty-seven authors representing four of the six continents (less Africa and Antarctica), who themselves identified nineteen unique (and sometimes overlapping) geographical areas all contributed to this ‘‘snapshot’’ of the field as it appears in the summer of 2013. The contributors were identified by consulting with members of the CoFT editorial board, gleaning names from the membership lists of different family-based professional organizations, examining the editorial boards of a range of professional journals, and then using the ‘‘snowball technique’’ to identify additional potential authors. The authors were asked to respond to a framework of topics that included: ‘‘1. History of family therapy in your area including such material as key ‘‘founders’’, or people who began to work in family therapy in your area. Where and how the early founders received training in family therapy. Key institutions that began providing services and/or training in family therapy. A timeline of key developments in your area. 2. How does family therapy fit into the current medical and or social services systems in your area?

Development of Family Therapy and Systemic Therapy in Germany

The roots of systemic therapy in Germany date back to the sixties. Systemic therapy is one of the most widely applied forms of psychotherapy and counseling in Germany. The majority of therapists and counselors in child guidance centers, couples therapy counseling centers and youth protective services have been trained in systemic therapy. A high number of clinical psychologists, social workers and medical doctors have received training in this model of therapy. In the beginning, multigenerational, experiential, as well as structural-strategic and Milan systemic approaches were popular. Today, the post-modern systems concepts, solution-oriented and narrative approaches and self-organization theory appear to be predominant. Some centers provide research and training in behavioral and psychodynamic family and couples therapy. However, systemic approaches are clearly leading the field with over 10,000 people who have received systemic training and about 150 training institutes across the country. The critical attitude shared by many leading figures towards empirical research has limited its success in university programs. In addition, training is usually provided in the form of post-graduate courses rather than at academic institutions. Currently, three journals and one online-journal publish articles on various systemic topics. Many publishing houses have a series of books on systemic therapy and one publishing house specializes exclusively on systems oriented books. In 2008, systemic therapy gained recognition as an evidence-based treatment. Four years later, the appropriate authorities have not initiated the process of assessing it as a treatment paid for by public health insurances. In consequence, systemic therapy is not available on a large scale in the public outpatient psychotherapy system. Some additional remarks are provided on the history and current situation of systemic therapy in Austria and Switzerland.

The Development of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in Europe: Some Reflections and Concerns

This paper outlines the development of pan European systemic thinking and practice. This development has been enabled and supported with the establishment of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). EFTA has evolved over the last decade from an organisation of individual members to an organisation of organisations—representing also national associations of family therapy and family therapy training institutes across 28 European countries. There are three sections to this paper: (1) a brief summary of the development of family therapy practice in Europe; (2) a brief summary of the work of the national associations of family therapy in EFTA; and (3) a brief summary of current concerns of some senior family therapists and family therapy trainers within the EFTA organisation.

The Development of Family Therapy Practice and Training in Taiwan: A Review and Prospects for the Future

This thesis reviews the development of family therapy in Taiwan since its commence in 1969 to today, with two focuses on the status quo in practice and in training. The practice of family therapy in local hospitals, social welfare agencies and community counseling institutes are reviewed respectively, with a discussion of the challenges local family therapists encounter. The status quo of local family therapy trainings is also examined in terms of trainers, programs, professional organizations and licensure. The limitations and possible hindrances to the current professional training system are explored, and finally suggestions for the advance of local family therapy professional development in Taiwan are proposed.

Family Therapy in Norway: Past and Present

This article will describe the development of family therapy in Norway. First, this article will review the main theoretical influences on Norwegian family therapy, followed by a discussion about its international influence in the field. The second section of this article will address psychiatric health care, family counselling, and how systemic thinking and systemic practice have spread to other areas in the fields of health, social work, and pedagogy. Particularly, a special emphasis will be placed on child protection work in Norway. Then, the family therapy union and Norwegian and Scandinavian congresses will be presented. This article will then describe family therapy education and research in Norway. Finally, future developments in the field will be discussed.

Family Therapy in Romania

The article outlines the development of family therapy in Romania. Family therapy has a relatively brief history in this country, only beginning with the first training programs in the early to mid 1990s. However, as far as the number of professional associations is concerned, it is well represented on the map of psychotherapy approaches. There are several opportunities for training in family therapy. The accreditation of the training programs and the certification of the graduates of these programs is clearly regulated by law. From the legal point of view psychotherapy is considered a specialization of psychologists rather than an independent profession. The authors offer a brief overview of the history of family therapy in Romania, its present position in the health and social care system, the context of training, accreditation standards, the network of professional organizations and some of the possible future directions for family therapy. Finally, recently produced Romanian films are suggested as a medium for getting acquainted with the complex dilemmas faced by contemporary Romanian families.

Development of Family Therapy in Ireland

In Ireland family therapy is a small profession, with under 200 registered therapists. The Irish family therapy movement began in the mid-1970s. By 1980 the Family Therapy Network of Ireland in the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Branch of the UK Association Family therapy had been founded. At present there are three main family therapy training centers in Ireland: two in the south (the Mater University Hospital, affiliated to University College Dublin and Clanwilliam Institute) and one in the north (at Queen’s University Belfast). There is no statutory registration and licensing of family therapists in Ireland. Accredited professional family therapy programs in Ireland are 4-year part-time courses culminating in masters level qualifications. A primary degree in medicine, nursing, psychology, social science or education is a prerequisite for entry. Family therapists in Ireland work in both private practice and the public health service. Most family therapists in the public sector are employed as social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists or nurses, and conduct family therapy as part of their broader professional roles. Couple therapy in Ireland is provided by family therapists, and also by voluntary couple counselors based in networks of local centers, some of which were originally religiously affiliated, without a formal connection to national family therapy associations. The three major future challenges for Irish family therapy are creating a research infrastructure, developing a career structure in the public health service, and introducing statutory registration.

Responsive persistence part I: therapist influence in postmodern practice.

Feminist and social constructionist developments in family therapy highlighted the importance of attending to therapist-client power relations and incorporating clients' understandings and preferences as a part of therapy. Significantly, less attention has been given to how postmodern therapists do use their power and influence. This is an important topic because it is therapists who have the major responsibility for guiding the interaction with clients and persisting in this so that change is facilitated. Therapist persistence in various forms and across dimensions of therapy process is examined to expand understanding of therapist influence in postmodern and collaborative work. An analysis of responsive persistence in a session with Karl Tomm as the therapist is presented to illustrate this conceptual framing.

Review and reflections on 40 years of family therapy development in Taiwan

Although the systemic approach is considered to fit Chinese culture, the development of family therapy in Taiwan is recent, starting in 1969, and growing as a treatment modality in Taiwan for the past two decades. To examine this development, this article reviewed 127 locally published family therapy studies published during the years 1969–2009. Content analysis was used to examine these articles and the results clearly showed an increase in the amount of publications during this period. The focus of the studies also shifted from theoretical issues to practical concerns. An analysis of 15 of these articles, which were case reports, suggested a preference for local common practice, for example, a focus on therapist manoeuvres rather than the clients' perspectives, which might have hindered the development of successful practice. The availability of only certain forms of training might also have contributed to the clinical focus of family therapy in Taiwan. The article suggests that greater interest in the therapy process in future will enhance local practitioners' clinical efficacy.

Family Therapy in the Forbidden City: A Review of Chinese Journals From 1978 to 2006

This article provides a glimpse into the development of family therapy in China, by reviewing family therapy articles written in Chinese and published in journals in China that are not, therefore, readily accessible to the international community. A content analysis of journals published between 1978 and 2006 revealed 199 family therapy articles in 109 Chinese journals. Most of the studies were conducted by psychiatry or medical professionals, and were based on general systems theory or a systemic family therapy model. The articles focused on the promotion of family therapy theories and interventions in China, but did not specify the application of theory to specific clientele or symptoms. After the year 2000, a threefold increase in the number of family therapy publications was noted. These papers included the introduction of additional theories, but did not include critical assessment of the applicability of Western family therapy models to Chinese families. The researchers noted an absence of articles that identified Chinese approaches to family therapy, and a paucity of papers on gender, professional reflection, and the therapy process. The article concludes that there is room for improvement in the quality of family therapy publications in China, and that gains may be made by interdisciplinary collaboration among academics and practitioners.

Special Section: On Learning from the Patience

Working with families, especially in areas such as child abuse, throws up many situations that can be viewed as crises requiring urgent action. The sense of urgency can increase when attempts to protect children are met with denial and obstruction. In reviewing our experiences over more than 30 years we have come to recognize that being organized by this sense of crisis can be counterproductive. An alternative has been the counterintuitive reaction of slowing down the process and valuing the chance to consider alternatives while maintaining a steady perseverance. In other words, of patience. We consider the influences, especially from systemic therapy and attachment research that have helped us deal patiently with denial and the potentially frustrating behaviour of abused children that is an outcome of their adaptations to prolonged maltreatment. The article concludes by proposing the value of patience as a useful stance in relation to current developments in family therapy.

Double Bind: Much More Than Just a Step ‘Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia’

In 1956, Bateson, Jackson, Haley, and Weakland published ‘Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia’. This paper was an early milestone in family therapy's development, signifying the importance that communications theory and cybernetics would hold for the evolution of the field over the ensuing three decades. Many are familiar with the notion of the double bind; however, the idea's theoretical underpinnings, and the broader contributions of the paper that launched it, are often misunderstood or overlooked. The 50th anniversary of the publication of ‘Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia’ offers an opportunity to revisit the importance of the contribution made by Bateson and his then colleagues, and to return to the fore the notions of logical typing, context, relationship and circularity that are at its heart.

The development of family therapy in Japanese psychosomatic medicine

It was in the mid-1980s that family therapy based on the system model began to catch attention in Japanese psychosomatic medicine. It began with the introduction of family therapy for eating disorders by Minuchin. In the 1990s, a full-scale practice of family therapy led by the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine in Kyushu University Hospital was begun. An effective outcome was seen not only in eating disorders, but also in various psychosomatic disorders. The most significant factor of the above practice is the development of a new medical family therapy model and the techniques based on it.

Worth the Bother: A Response to Carmel Flaskas

In responding to the arguments of Carmel Flaskas, the author overviews the growth and development of family therapy and the influences of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic theory. (non-author abstract)