WordNet
n. any of several therapeutic approaches in which a family is treated as a whole
Wikipedia
Family therapy, also referred to as couple and family therapy, marriage and family therapy, family systems therapy, and family counseling, is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of interaction between family members. It emphasizes family relationships as an important factor in psychological health.
The different schools of family therapy have in common a belief that, regardless of the origin of the problem, and regardless of whether the clients consider it an "individual" or "family" issue, involving families in solutions often benefits clients. This involvement of families is commonly accomplished by their direct participation in the therapy session. The skills of the family therapist thus include the ability to influence conversations in a way that catalyses the strengths, wisdom, and support of the wider system.
In the field's early years, many clinicians defined the family in a narrow, traditional manner usually including parents and children. As the field has evolved, the concept of the family is more commonly defined in terms of strongly supportive, long-term roles and relationships between people who may or may not be related by blood or marriage.
The conceptual frameworks developed by family therapists, especially those of family systems theorists, have been applied to a wide range of human behaviour, including organisational dynamics and the study of greatness.
Usage examples of "family therapy".
This is the basis for the usually excellent results achieved with conjoint family therapy.
A little counseling, some family therapy, and things generally work out just fine.
As for Tess, Judy and Bill took her to Omaha a week ago for substance-abuse treatment, where they are joining her today for family therapy.
They seem to think that the best family therapy method is 'out of sight, out of mind.
Not only do you get Haldol, you get talk therapy, recreational therapy, family therapy, crafts therapy.
The quack insisted on family therapy and you insist upon face-to-face.
Some new therapeutic strategies seemed in order: more direct intervention, with me playing the role of a gruff, loving older brother, or perhaps family therapy, or some meetings with his teachers and even classmates.