STRUCTURAL AND STRATEGIC FAMILY THERAPY: A BASIS FOR MARRIAGE,OR GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE?*

In reaction to a current move toward eclecticism in family therapy, the Structural and Strategic schools of therapy are examined. Both a conceptual and practical framework for relating these two, often contradictory, schools to one another is presented through the use of some of Gregory Bateson's recently presented views. The therapist's dilemma in trying to integrate these two approaches is discussed in the light of self-fulfilling prophecies and the necessity for second-order change as related to the therapist's actions. A conclusion is reached that conceptual integration of the approaches may be possible at a higher level, yet practical integration of the two by the practitioner may be difficult, if not impossible, due to the different units of analysis and subsequent action commanded by each approach.