The role of emotions in marriage and family therapy: past, present, and future

As the traditional perspective of viewing emotions from an intrapsychic perspective has shifted to a more relational stance, the interpersonal functions of emotions within the family system have been underscored. As a result, the role of emotions in therapeutic interventions designed to assist distressed couples and families requires attention. The purpose of the current paper is to trace the role that emotions have played in marriage and family therapy (MFT) interventions both historically and currently. Towards this end, a brief overview of the historical role of emotions in MFT is presented followed by a review of research and therapeutic approaches that have integrated emotion into systemically based therapies. Future directions for incorporating emotions into MFT research, theory, and intervention are addressed. KEYWORDS. Family emotions, family systems, marital interaction