Towards a Metamorphosis: Current Developments in the Theory and Practice of Family Therapy

Abstract

This paper reviews the current state of the theory and practice of family therapy. It proposes that the field is undergoing a radical metamorphosis in which its theory base is becoming characterised by less ideological ÔpurityÕ, more attention to an evidence base and an integration within other treatment modalities. Like all such metamorphoses, this transformation of family therapy is not without its difficulties. In many ways, professional contexts, professional institutions and training programmes, at least in the UK, do not appear to have made the adjustment to this change. The paper will therefore highlight these contextual issues as a counter-point to the metamorphosis that is in process. Key Practitioner Message:• Family therapy is changing into an evidenced based intervention • Family therapy is integrating aspects of other therapies into its approach • Guidelines exist which describe the content of family therapy for particular child and adolescent difficulties

Couple and Family Therapy Outcome Research in the Previous Decade: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

“…However, for many studies the therapists used a range of methods of intervention, taken from more than one systemic model, as is common practice when working with families (Rivett 2008). The researchers read the papers and often followed up references to attempt to categorize the type of CFT described in the articles.…”

Ten Research Questions for Family Therapy

“…The lack of controlled trials in this area is in part due to the fact that the post-modern tradition within which social-constructionist approaches have developed has a greater affinity to qualitative than to quantitative research methods (Chenail, 2005;Larner, 2004). Mark Rivett (2008) has argued persuasively that the whole field of family therapy is undergoing a radical metamorphosis at present, where purist theoretical approaches to family therapy are gradually giving way to pragmatic evidence-based practices. In this vein, Peter Stratton's group at Leeds have developed a treatment manual for a social-constructionist approach to family therapy which will be used in future treatment outcome studies (Allison, Perlesz, & Pote, 2002;Pote, Stratton, Cottrell, & Boston, 2003).…”

“…The profession of family therapy will find considerable support from researchers in the disciplines of clinical psychology, psychiatry and cognitive behaviour therapy in developing and evaluating multimodal treatment programmes involving a combination of family therapy and other forms of psychotherapy to address specific presenting problems (Rivett, 2008).…”

Developing Family Therapy Skills on a Shoe String Budget: A Peer Supervision and Training Approach

“…If we no longer train model‐specific, as appears to be the current trend (Boston, ; Rivett, ), how does an integrative approach work? How much theoretical understanding is needed?…”

“…Can we become inspired by the unique ways of thinking employed by the grandparents of the family therapy movement, and perhaps develop our own creativity a little further? If we no longer train model-specific, as appears to be the current trend (Boston, 2000;Rivett, 2008), how does an integrative approach work? How much theoretical understanding is needed?…”