Search

With a focus on 'screen and team' family therapy, we tentatively explore possible practice implications associated with family therapy moving from in‐person to online delivery, with the intention of developing questions for further empirical research. By examining some of the affordances and constraints of the online medium in relation to the use of triadic questioning, we set forth a number of the epistemological and ontological consequences of this move. We argue that online therapy has particular features of a dialogical approach and method. We then examine the concept of joint action, the nature of the conversational processes, and the utterance chains that seem to be more likely to emerge when working online. We posit that a major advantage of the move to online delivery of family therapy is the medium's particular utility for generating more invitational, collaborative, and dialogical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the findings and reflections of family therapy treatment outcomes for a British‐Chinese family using SCORE‐15, a reliable and valid systemic outcome measure developed in the UK. It aims to examine the clinical usefulness of SCORE‐15 through its application to a single case study. The two culture‐specific treatments were conducted at the Marlborough Cultural Therapy Centre (MCTC), which was part of the Marlborough Family Service in London. MCTC was a mental health specialist service for ethnic minorities in their preferred languages that operated for 18 years within the mainstream mental health setting of the National Health Service (NHS). The overall family functioning was found to have improved and problem severity decreased, apart from some aspects rated by the mother. Reflections and discussions with the family with regard to the SCORE‐15 findings facilitated understanding and feedback about clinical changes in the systemic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many family therapists, exploring religion and spirituality with clients can be challenging. Despite notable contributions to the systemic literature over the last 30 years, family therapy continues to tell the story that this is risky territory. In this article I share the personal and professional stories of a number of family therapists brought together in focus groups to discuss personal and professional beliefs and practices in relation to religion and spirituality. The range of perspectives and issues explored renders these encounters a rich resource for family therapists wishing to develop their practice. Connections are made between themes from the discussions and the literature, and ideas proposed to support the development of positive dialogue between family therapists across the faith/secular spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, inspired by systemic family therapy and narrative approaches, Glenda Fredman's team in the UK has found ways to bring families, practitioners and communities together to respond to medical, mental health and social care crises. This work has taken place with children, adolescents, older people and people affected by intellectual disability and their families. This paper shares an inspiring story of this work and describes ways of 'conducting' and 'weaving' networks of hope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper briefly describes narrative and open dialogue approaches before exploring their shared values, ways of working, their differences and the possibilities for integration. Both authors have extensive experience in using a narrative therapy approach, while Val Jackson, a family and systemic psychotherapist, also uses an open dialogue approach in her work in an early intervention in psychosis service in Yorkshire, UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article concerns the use of language in both therapy and supervision, and how it contributes to the necessary risk-taking that will be a part of therapists' and supervisors' repertoires. The focus will be on my own examples in both roles, and will refer to both successes and failures, while questioning the usefulness of either concept. Within a postmodern paradigm, and influenced by thinkers including Foucault and Bakhtin as well as systemic clinicians, I will examine the use of language (including in cross-cultural settings where risks can sometimes be amplified) and of humour and self while exploring the meanings of identity. I contend that all relationships contain some element of risk and the ways in which we create a safe enough context, through the uses of language as well as nonlinguistic means, are the crucial elements in our endeavours as supervisors and therapists. I favour the idea that therapy is more of an art than a science and that this is most exemplified in the graceful use of language by which we strive to engage rather than alienate people. The article may be considered by some as being useful advice, and by others as a risk too far, such is the controversial nature of language, which highlights the importance of relationships and context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An obituary for Italian family therapist Luigi Boscolo is presented, highlighting his achievements as clinician and relationshp with his wife, Jackie and adopted son Guido.

The article discusses the acknowledgement on the use of metaphor in family therapy training. It has been noted that metaphors help illuminate and stimulate the moments when the struggle for new learning ins jolted and leap into understanding which give opportunities to more sedate and institutionalized teaching opportunities. Thus, course accreditation and registration of psychotherapists was adopted and organized through member organizations in Great Britain and Ireland. The moments of realization and teaching or learning process enables a trainee to understand more as well as sustain the trainer's commitment to the process.

The article presents information on "The Family Therapy Basics: An Interactive Distant-Learning Package," by Alan Cooklin, Neil Dawson and Brenda McHugh, published on a CD ROM and manual. The package, concerning a broad range of primary health professions, was first published in 1993 by The Marlborough Family Services of the Great Britain National Health Service. The package is divided in five modules with insights on professional approach to family therapy problems. The CD ROM presents the teaching program and the manual contains exercises, key teaching points and activities. Realistic clinical scenarios, family interactions and case studies of children and adolescents with family problems are also presented. The package has been edited and updated in 2003.