NCJ Number
183030
Date Published
2000
Length
24 pages
Annotation
After providing a history and overview of family therapy, this chapter describes types of family therapy and discusses the types of criminal behavior for which family therapy is most appropriate.
Abstract
The term "family therapy" would be misleading if it suggested that these services are intended solely for intact nuclear families. "Family therapy" is more accurately viewed as a treatment modality designed to address the problems that result from the manner in which individuals perceive and manage their relationships. Such services may be retained by a variety of living units. Schools of family therapy differ primarily in their treatment focus or the type of family problem that is addressed in therapy. "Psychodynamic" family therapy focuses on "object relations," defined by Westen (1992) as "a set of cognitive and affective processes that mediate interpersonal functioning in close relationships." "Communications" family therapy typically works from a systems perspective. Therapists believe that they cannot understand family interactions until they understand the family's role patterns, stability, levels of communication, and governing processes from a systems perspective. Therapists are sensitive to both the processes and the form of information exchange rather than to the specific content of interaction. The goal of "structural" family therapy is to alter the patterns of family subsystems and their boundaries. This chapter also discusses behavioral and social learning models, multisystemic treatment, and responsivity (motivation for family therapy). Regarding family therapy applications in the criminal justice field, the chapter addresses its use in domestic violence (child abuse and spouse abuse), substance abuse, and when a family member is incarcerated. Key concepts and terms as well as discussion questions are provided.