The developmental status of family therapy in family psychology intervention science.

Abstract

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted"-Albert Einstein amily therapy as a body of theory, practice, and professional identifications was developed primarily outside the mainstream of psychology Many of the F foundational constructs and early theoretical concepts emanated from thinking by major figures in such diverse fields as anthropology, information theory, cybernetics, and mathematics (Hoffman, 1981). Initial theoretical developments in family intervention and family intervention science were spurred by the recognition that traditional methods of psychological research were inadequate to deal with the overly complex issues of measuring, explaining, and intervening on family process It became clear to many that a "new" perspective was needed (Fisher, 1982;Fisher, Terry, & Ransom, 1990).Our goal in chis chapter is to map the developmental trajectory of family therapy in family psychology intervention science (FT-FPIS) from its early roots to its current status. We also hope to provide a perspective on its developmental process with an eye toward future challenges. What Is Implied by "Developmental Status"?With respect to human behavior, most lay persons (and probably most professionals) without reflection often consider development as a positively valenced process or movement over time to a "fuller" or "greater" state, not all developmental trajectories are necessarily positive, however For example, entropy, a fundamental principle of family systems, is seen as anything but a positive developmental process when used to describe the boundary violations and role 17

Culturally Informed and Flexible Family‐Based Treatment for Adolescents: A Tailored and Integrative Treatment for Hispanic Youth

“…The use of treatments that fail to incorporate findings on culture-related variables ignores the individual differences and differences in life experiences that define ethnic minorities (Bernal & Scharron-Del-Rio, 2001). Just as one would expect that treatments used with adolescents should incorporate the findings of developmental research (Liddle et al, 2000) and findings on family processes (Alexander, Sexton, & Robbins, 2002), we believe that state of the science interventions with minority groups must be explicitly informed and enhanced by findings on important culture-related processes. We do not believe that the onus should be solely on a culturally competent therapist to deliver a manualized treatment that makes only passing reference to issues of culture.…”

Understanding the Links Between Social Support and Physical Health: A Life-Span Perspective With Emphasis on the Separability of Perceived and Received Support

“…For instance, given the developmental antecedents of perceived support, it is clear that early familial interventions are an important starting point. Such interventions have mostly been conducted in at-risk populations and show promise in fostering more positive child outcomes (Alexander, Sexton, & Robbins, 2002).…”

The Efficacy of Systemic Therapy for Internalizing and Other Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review of 38 Randomized Trials

“…We analyzed general reviews of effectiveness trials on ST in all age groups (Empt & Schiepek, 1997;Ludewig, 1996;Ochs, Schlippe, & Schweitzer, 1997;Stierlin, 1997; Stratton, 2005); ST with children and adolescents (Cotrell & Boston, 2002;Malone, 2001), specific forms of ST, including solution focused therapy (Kim, 2008;Kim & Franklin, 2009), and especially multisystemic therapy (MST) (Henggeler, 1999(Henggeler, , 2004Littell, 2005;Littell, Campbell, Green, & Toews, 2005); family therapy/family interventions across all age groups (Alexander, Holzworth-Munroe, & Jameson, 1994;Alexander, Sexton, & Robbins, 2002;Asen, 2002;Diamond, Serrano, Dickey, & Sonis, 1996;Gurman & Liddle, 2002;Lebow & Gurman, 1995;Liddle & Rowe, 2004;Liddle, Santisteban, Levant, & Bray, 2002;Pharoah, Mari, Rathbone, & Wong, 2010;Pinsof & Wynne, 1995;Scheib & Balck, 2002;Scheib & Wirsching, 2004;Shadish, Ragsdale, Glaser, & Montgomery, 1995;Sprenkle, 2002); ST with disorders of children and adolescents (Carr, 2000;Diamond & Siqueland, 2001;Diamond et al, 1996;Heekerens, 1991); family therapy/interventions for specific disorders in all age groups (different disorders: Fonagy & Roth, 2004a,b); ST for somatic illness (Campbell & Patterson, 1995;Eccleston, Palermo, Williams, Lewandowski,…”