Practice and training in family therapy: a known group study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Family therapy encompasses diverse theoretical models.
• Understanding the impact of specialized training on therapist practice is crucial.
• Previous research highlights the importance of formal training in shaping therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comparatively survey the belief and action systems of family therapists trained in Bowenian, communications, and strategic models.
• To analyze the convergence and divergence between these major family therapy models.
• To assess the alignment between theoretical literature and practical implementation within each model.

Main Methods:

• Comparative survey design.
• Factor analysis of belief (assumptions) and action (style) system items.
• Analysis of training program graduates from three distinct family therapy models.

Main Results:

• Greater divergence observed among the three family therapy models than convergence.
• Remarkable synchronicity between model literature and therapist implementation.
• Intensive training strongly correlates with adherence to a specific therapeutic model.

Conclusions:

• Formal, intensive training effectively cultivates adherence to particular family therapy models.
• The distinctiveness of each model should be prioritized over premature generic models.
• Developing internally consistent and operationalizable models is essential for effective practice.