| Abstract: | We present a classification system which presumes that information about families can be seen from three different perspectives (historical, interactional, and existential) and that treatment proceeds from three approaches (understanding, transformation, and identification). Using this scheme, we discuss how theories from different schools of thought are substantially overlapping, show that families may respond according to principles other than those the therapist had in mind, indicate how traditional links between certain evaluation perspectives and approaches are unnecessarily limiting, and define two current poles or modes in family therapy (the “ingenious” and the “involved”), suggesting indications for the use of each mode. Various teaching benefits of the scheme are outlined. |
