Multiple Family Therapy: Current Status and Critical Appraisal

Abstract

This article provides an updated review and synthesis of the research and clinical literature dealing with multiple family therapy as an identifiable treatment approach. Major emphasis is placed on the literature published since an earlier comprehensive review (63). It is concluded that multiple family therapy is a viable and promising treatment modality, yet one that in clinical practice remains underused, conceptually underdeveloped, and poorly differentiated from other treatment approaches. Recommendations are made and pathways are identified that may promote the further growth and development of the approach.

Meeting the Complex Needs of Urban Youth and Their Families Through the 4Rs 2Ss Family Strengthening Program

“…MFGs are defined as: 1) a mental health service that involves 6 to 8 families; 2) an intervention that is facilitated by trained clinicians or a clinician and parent advocate; 3) a treatment where at least two generations of a family are present in each session and; 4) psychoeducation and practice activities that foster both within family and between family learning and interaction (O’Shea & Phelps, 1985). The 4Rs 2Ss Family Strengthening Program involves school-age, inner-city children (7 to 11 years) meeting diagnostic criteria for Oppositional Defiant or Conduct Disorders and their families (including adult caregivers, siblings over 6 years) in a 16-week series of groups.…”

Multiple family therapy: an overview

“…In this way the multiple family paradigm has inspired more traditional therapeutic activities in general mental health services, such as relative support and carer groups, and it is now a well-established ingredient in the work with people with schizophrenia (Kuipers et al, 1992). Multiple family therapy is now also practised in many other presentations and conditions (O'Shea and Phelps, 1985), including drug and alcohol abuse (Kaufman and Kaufman, 1979), chronic medical illness (Gonsalez et al, 1989;Steinglass, 1998), Huntingdon's disease (Murburg et al, 1988), child abuse (Asen et al, 1989), eating-disorder patients (Dare and Eisler, 2000;Scholz and Asen, 2001;Slagerman and Yager, 1989), and more specifically bulimia nervosa (Wooley and Lewis, 1987), and a mixture of in-and outpatient children and adolescents presenting with a variety of problems (Wattie, 1994). It is likely that its cost-effectiveness in times of dwindling resources does explain in part the increasing popularity of the multiple family therapy approach.…”

Healing Trauma and Loss Through a Community-Based Multi-Family Group with Latino Immigrants

“…Conversely, in many of the single-session PTSD focused groups, members are treated in a group individually or sequentially and for the sake of expediency. Benefits of the multi-family group format include de-stigmatization of presenting problems through members' exchange with others who have similar experiences (Asen, 2002); creating an atmosphere which feels more family focused than medicalized (Asen, 2002); reduction of social isolation (O'Shea and Phelps, 1985); providing a stage for multiple descriptions of similar issues; empowerment of members who are able to use their own strengths to help others; and higher accountability for the facilitators because they are practicing in a public setting.…”