Essential components of curricula for preparing therapists to work effectively with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients: a Delphi study

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, experiences, and values that therapists should possess to provide quality therapy services to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons and their families. Using the Delphi method, consensus from a panel of experts on LGB topics was obtained on the components that training curricula should ideally include to prepare therapists adequately to work with this population. Panelists provide suggestions for important therapist values and qualities, key theoretical orientations, common issues of LGB clients and their support persons, key components of assessment and interventions, ethical and legal issues, and recommended materials. The panelists stress self-of-the-therapist work and development of a systemic perspective as critical aspects of training. The role of sexuality was deemphasized. Recommendations to training programs based on these findings are provided.     

Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists: treatment guidelines for non-African-American therapists working with African-American families

To serve African-American families effectively, marriage and family therapists need to develop a level of cultural competence. This content analysis of the relevant treatment literature was conducted to examine the most common expert recommendations for family therapy with African Americans. Fifteen specific guidelines were generated, including orient the family to therapy, do not assume familiarity, address issue of racism, intervene multi-systemically, do home visits, use problem-solving focus, involve religious leader, incorporate the father, and acknowledge strengths. Conceptual and empirical support for each guideline is discussed, and conclusions are made regarding culturally competent therapy with African-American families.     

Working with families living with autism: potential contributions of marriage and family therapists

This article introduces marriage and family therapists (MFT) to some of the common issues faced by families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). First, autism is defined and common myths surrounding it are discussed. Next, relational challenges are presented that families report experiencing during early childhood through the elementary school years, adolescence and the transition into adulthood, and the later years of the family life cycle. Real-life stories are included to illustrate the potential contributions that MFTs can make to families that have a child with ASD.     

Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists: guidelines for working with Hispanic families

As the Hispanic population of the United States continues to grow, so will the need for therapists who have been trained to work with Hispanic families. This content analysis of the available treatment literature generated several specific guidelines that can be used in training and evaluating culturally competent therapists. Guidelines included: Use family therapy, act as advocate for the family, assess immigration experience, assess acculturation, respect father, interview family subsystems separately, do not force changes, provide concrete suggestions, and warmly engage the family. Empirical and conceptual support for each guideline is discussed and several conclusions are made regarding culturally competent therapy with Hispanic families.     

Evidence-based social work practice with children and families: a cross national perspective

This paper summarizes, from a cross-national perspective, some commonly used models of evidence-based practice and relates them to social work practice with children and families. We first identify concepts and dimensions central to an analysis of the outcomes of social work practice. We then present and discuss key components of social work practice that any evidence-based model must take into account. Finally, we provide some examples of strategies that may be useful to practitioners and policy makers across nations and cultures in order to build a solid knowledge-base for effective social work practice.     

Dual-earner families in Finland: Differences between and within families in relation to work and family experiences

The aims of the study were to create a typology of dual-earner families, based on mothers' and fathers' reports on vocational education, job involvement, and job exhaustion, and to investigate differences between the groups in family functioning, and work-family interface experiences. The study was carried out by means of questionnaires among 133 dual-earner couples with children under 18 years of age living at home. In creating the typology cluster analysis was used as a statistical procedure. In the analysis five groups emerged that were distinguished by both between-group and within-parent differences in the clustering variables: (1) low-status dual-earner families, (2) low-job-exhausted and low-job-involved dual-earner families, (3) dual-earner families with high-status and highly job-exhausted mothers, (4) dual-earner families with highly job-exhausted fathers, and (5) dual-earner families with high-status and highly job-involved fathers. Group membership was related to the characteristics of family life, and to the evaluations of work-family interaction as well as other job characteristics, thus indicating ecological validity for the family typology created. It seemed that a high level of job exhaustion, in particular, was linked to problems in family functioning. Les objectifs poursuivis dans l'analyse qui suit ont été de créer une typologie des familles à double revenu, typologie basée sur les rapports des mères et des pères concernant la formation professionnelle, l'importance accordée au métier et le degré d'épuisement causé par ce dernier, et d'enquêter sur les différences entre les groupes dans les expériences vécues du fonctionnement familial et de l'interaction emploi-famille. L'étude a été menée à l'aide de questionnaires distribués à 133 couples appartenant à cette classe de double revenu et dont les enfants de moins de 18 ans vivaient àla maison. Pour rassembler la typologie, une analyse agglomérée a été employée en tant que procédure de statistique. Au cours de cette analyse, les cinq groupes qui ont émergé se distinguaient par des différences qui touchaient à la fois les domaines inter-groupes et interparentaux selon ces variables d'agglomération: (1) les familles à double revenu à bas statut, (2) les familles àdouble revenu dans des emplois peu épuisants et peu motivants, (3) les familles à double revenu au statut élevé avec des mères épuisées par un emploi de niveau élevé, (4) les familles à double revenu avec des pères épuisés par un emploi de niveau élevé, et (5) les familles à double revenu au statut élevé avec des pères motivés par un emploi de niveau élevé. L'appartenance aux groupes était en rapport avec les caracteéristiques de la vie familiale et avec les évaluations concernant l'interaction emploi-famille ainsi que diverses caractéristiques de l'emploi, afin d'indiquer la validité écologique pour la typologie familiale créée. Il semblait ainsi qu'un important niveau d'épuisement au travail en particulier soit liéaux problèmes du fonctionnement familial.     

Marriage and family therapists working with couples who have children with autism

Current research about families and couples who have children with autism is discussed using the Double ABCX model as a guide. A case study is presented along with recommendations for therapists who work with couples who have children with autism. Marriage and family therapists are encouraged to use the Double ABCX model as both an assessment tool as well as for intervention. More research and effective therapists in this area are needed in order to keep up with the rising rates of families that include children diagnosed with autism.     

Training mental health practitioners to work with adoptive families who seek help

The lack of appropriate therapeutic resources for adoptive children and their adoptive families who seek treatment is a national problem. The mental health community has failed to recognize the specific knowledge and expertise that therapists must have if they are to help this population. This article describes the initiative taken by one organization to attack this problem in its state.     

Social work with Bosnian Muslim refugee children and families: a review of the literature

More than two million Bosnian Muslims were ethnically cleansed in the Balkan region; of these, 200,000 were killed while the others were forced to flee their homes and become refugees. This article focuses on the influence of societal and cultural values coupled with wartime experiences on the transition of Bosnian refugee families to their new countries. Consideration is given to culturally competent theoretical frameworks and practice principles social workers can use to assist Bosnian Muslim children and families in their adaptation process within their resettlement communities.     

Marriage and family therapists and psychotropic medications: practice patterns from a national study

A national sample of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) was used to describe practice patterns of MFTs whose clients use psychotropics and to compare medicated and nonmedicated clients. Marriage and Family Therapists (n=283) reported on 195 medicated and 483 nonmedicated adult clients. Clients (n=375) rated their improvement and satisfaction with treatment. Results showed that 91% of MFTs treat medicated clients, and these clients accounted for 25% of MFT cases. Medicated clients were most often seen in individual therapy, had more serious medical problems, and showed greater cumulative improvement in relational functioning. Therapists from MFT educational backgrounds had fewer medicated clients than MFTs from other educational backgrounds.     

Training issues for supervisors of marriage and family therapists working with persons living with HIV

The purpose of this article is to address the special issues and considerations Martial and Family Therapy (MFT) supervisors might face with the increasing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Three primary issues will be addressed in this article. First, the importance of educating therapists regarding various aspects of the disease process and its transmission will be discussed, followed by educational strategies programs might adopt. Second, we will discuss the ethical and legal considerations that may need monitoring by supervisors and trainees. Third, special therapeutic considerations will be provided to supervisors of therapists working with stigmatized populations.     

Social work with vulnerable families and children in 11 Russian regions

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to describe and analyse how key actors in the social sector in Russian regions identify problems, objectives and social work achievements in connection with vulnerable families and children.

Methods. University personnel conducted 209 interviews using semi-structured questionnaires.

Results. Family problems were reported to be related to poverty, parents’ alcohol abuse, the child's behaviour, the child's lack of social skills, domestic conflicts and problems getting adequate housing. The view of the majority of the respondents was that social orphanhood depends on poverty, alcohol abuse and the family's diminished role in society. Family incomes have improved but services have become more expensive. The social workers mostly put the child, not the family, in focus. Alcohol abuse was considered to be a greater problem in wealthier regions. Analyses between key groups showed that the respondents ranked problems differently, had similar ways of defining important objectives, but had divergent opinions on what social work could achieve concerning, for example, re-establishing the child's contacts with his/her biological parents.

Conclusions. The respondents seem to be highly ambivalent toward alcohol abuse as a social problem and toward biological parents in vulnerable families. Social work in the regions is a profession in the process of formation.     

The electronic eye: emerging surveillant practices in social work with children and families

Given the rise of a ‘surveillance society’ or ‘surveillance state’, this article examines the evolution of new surveillant practices which are targeted at children in general, but also particular groups of children who are frequently seen as ‘troublesome’, even threats to the social order. In England for example, there has been an emerging preoccupation with ‘identifying’, ‘profiling’, and ‘tracking’ the potentially criminal young. Furthermore, other major changes are likely to be introduced in the area of child welfare and child protection. Important here is the New Labour administration’s plan to introduce ‘information hubs’ which will electronically log details on children and families. It is argued that social work and the social professions, throughout Europe, need to critically analyse developments such as this and have their responses informed by international discourses founded on civil and human rights.     

Integrating a family-centered approach into social work practice with families of children and adolescents with disabilities

This article identifies a family-centered practice construct for working with children and adolescents with disabilities and their families. The experiences of these families have shifted considerably over the past 30 years. A legislative and historical context provides the basis for an understanding of present policies and practices that influence current approaches to service delivery. Though family-centered practice is emphasized in various practice settings, there is still a need to integrate this philosophy into social work practice with children and adolescents with disabilities and their families. In order to enhance the ability of the social worker to integrate this construct into practice, a framework for exploring the experiences of children, adolescents and families is provided. This framework provides an overview of factors related to the individual child, the family and siblings for the social worker to consider when working with these families. The social worker's role as collaborator, advocate, team member and family resource is highlighted.     

Ten adaptive strategies for family and work balance: advice from successful families

Despite negative media images and social dynamics insensitive to the lives of many dual-career couples, research shows that these families are largely healthy and thriving. In this study, we investigated the adaptive strategies of middle-class, dual-earner couples (N = 47) with children that are successfully managing family and work. Guided by grounded-theory methodology, analysis of interview data revealed that these successful couples structured their lives around 10 major strategies: Valuing family, striving for partnership, deriving meaning from work, maintaining work boundaries, focusing and producing at work, taking pride in dual earning, prioritizing family fun, living simply, making decisions proactively, and valuing time. Each adaptive strategy is defined and illustrated through the participants' own words. Clinical applications for therapists working with dual-earner couples are offered.     

Training family therapists to assess for and intervene in partner abuse: a curriculum for graduate courses, professional workshops, and self-study

Partner abuse is an epidemic with potentially dire consequences for individuals, families, and society. Family therapists must be able to competently assess for and intervene in abuse situations. This article presents a curriculum designed to provide family therapists with introductory knowledge and skills for the assessment and intervention of partner abuse. The curriculum, which is informed primarily by feminist and multicultural theories and practices, can be used in graduate courses, professional workshops, and for self-study.     

Close relationships research: a resource for couple and family therapists

This article describes the relatively new field of close relationships research, offering a representative list of topics studied by relationship researchers. Some of the common interests shared by both close relationships researchers and couple and family therapists are described, with the shared emphasis on relationships as an anchor for both fields. Some representative love theories are discussed, and Love Styles theory and research are presented in considerable detail. A clinical case example indicates how love styles research may be employed to advantage by couple therapists, and the utility of other close relationships theories and measures for therapy is briefly discussed.     

The relationship between marriage and family therapists and complementary and alternative medicine approaches: a qualitative study

In this article, we delineate the qualitative phase of a mixed-method research study focused on understanding the relationship between Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Based on an analysis of the data derived from telephone interviews with 54 respondents, we describe four themes: definitional issues, depth of awareness of CAM, fit with MFT, and ethical considerations. Our discussion focuses on the findings of this phase, considerations from the quantitative phase, and reflections on the research study as a whole. While acknowledging the limitations of the study, we conclude that the growing awareness of and involvement with CAM approaches and practitioners among MFTs suggest a need for further education for both professionals and clients. We also note the importance of additional research support for the use of CAM practices.     

Where are the new fathers? German families with a non-traditional distribution of professional and family work

The concepts 'new fathers' and 'new men' reflect changed attitudes about gender roles today. However, at a behavioural level, the traditional division of labour in families has proved tenacious. Wage differences between the sexes are believed to be a main reason for this. This German pilot project examined the division of labour of couples, to pursue the question of what consequences a couple's relative earnings have for a cooperative role structure as well as for the transition to parenthood. Qualitative interviews were conducted with both partners in 25 couples in which the woman's earnings were as high as or higher than those of the man. The results show clear deviations from the 'standard model', thereby indicating the significant influence of earnings. Most couples divided parental leave so that neither partner had to drop out of employment for a long period of time. The egalitarian role distribution had a positive effect on the relationship between parents and on satisfaction with this relationship. RESUMEN Los conceptos de 'padre moderno' y 'hombre nuevo' reflejan actitudes cambiadas sobre papeles de los sexos hoy en día. No obstante, al nivel de comportamiento, la división tradicional de trabajo ha sido tenaz. Se cree que esto surge principalmente de diferencias de sueldos entre los sexos. Éste proyecto piloto alemán evaluó la división de trabajo entre parejas para averiguar las consecuencias de los ingresos relativos de una pareja en la estructura cooperativa de papeles de sexo, además de el la transición a ser padres. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas cualitativas con ambos compañeros de 25 parejas donde los ingresos de las mujeres eran iguales o superior a los del hombre. Los resultados muestran desviaciones claras del 'modelo estándar' señalando la considerable influencia de los ingresos. La mayoría de parejas compartían la baja por paternidad/maternidad para que ninguna persona tuviera que abandonar su empleo durante mucho tiempo. La distribución igualitaria de papeles afectó positivamente a la relación entre los padres y a su satisfacción con la relación.     

Uniqueness of family therapists as family business systems consultants: a cross-disciplinary investigation

The purpose of this study is to address how the consulting approaches of family therapists working with family businesses differ from those of business consultants. The logic of analytic induction was used to analyze qualitative data from family business consultants with and without training in family therapy. Consultants were asked to respond to two vignettes: one emphasized primarily family system problems, whereas the other emphasized business problems with influencing issues at the family/business intersection. Both similarities and differences were found in reference to problem assessment, consulting goal orientation, intervention strategy focus, consultant role and function, and consulting setting preference between consultants with and without family therapy training. Results indicate that consultants of each discipline provide a unique perspective and expertise that allow them to successfully address the spectrum of issues that family firms face. Further, findings highlight the unique contribution of family therapists to an interdisciplinary consulting team.