Recent Developments in Family Therapy: A Review

Since its beginning some 25 years ago, family therapy has become a widely used modality. The field is developing its own theoretical foundations, training institutions, and body of outcome research; the authors review some of the changes, especially those of the last two or three years. One major development is the growing differentiation of family therapy models and techniques; related are increasing attempts to delineate selection criteria and to provide empirical data for special matches of problems and treatments. The field has moved from its early preoccupation with schizophrenia to concern with new target populations, such as families disrupted by divorce. Family therapy is also being used more often in the treatment of hospitalized patients and of substance abusers. The outcome research is growing in extent and sophistication; the positive results indicate a continuing prominent role for this modality.