Family therapy
Definition
Family therapy is a form of psychotherapythat involves all the members of a nuclear or extended family. It may be conducted by a pair of therapists-often a man and a woman-to treat gender-related issues or serve as role models for family members. Although some types of family therapy are based on behavioral or psychodynamic principles, the most widespread form is based on family systems theory, an approach that regards the entire family as the unit of treatment, and emphasizes such factors as relationships and communication patterns rather than traits or symptoms in individual members.
Purpose
The purpose of family therapy is to identify and treat family problems that cause dysfunction. Therapy focuses on...
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