Problems with family therapy in a community mental health center

Family therapy is commonly practiced at most community health centers in this country. Nevertheless, mental health center policies and procedures are often antithetical to family therapy and may seriously impede its conduct. Structural division of services into adult and child programs and a forced individual orientation in referral, diagnosis, treatment, and recordkeeping are major hindrances to the family therapist. Family therapists' collaborative efforts with clinic staff, administrators, and referral sources can help strengthen family systems orientation.