Family Therapy Post-Incarceration: Perspectives and Possibilities

The lasting impacts of incarceration can deeply affect the family unit. While family services are crucial for promoting reunification and stability, these services are often underutilized and difficult for families to access as they navigate re-entry after prison. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, eight men released from incarceration participated in interviews to share their perspectives on family-based services, particularly family therapy. Four key themes emerged from the interviews: beliefs and emerging awareness of family therapy, obstacles to accessing therapy, therapeutic needs and goals, and advocacy for improved services. Insights and recommendations for re-entry service providers and family therapists are discussed.