The Development of Family Therapy

Abstract

Conceptually, family therapy stands in contrast to individual therapy. While the latter deals with the individual and establishes a two-party relationship between therapist and patient, the family is the essential entity for treatment in family therpay. The term “family therapy” signifies primarily a special way of setting up the therapeutic situation. It says nothing about an obligatory theory or method for family treatment. Instead of theories and methods, there are several therapeutic aspects that have developed from various points of departure. In the following pages, we will present a brief, albeit incomplete, synopsis of these developments and also describe the current state of the methods used in family therapy. In presenting this information, we will not limit ourselves to developing academic theories.

“Can you lend me your donkey for this afternoon?” a farmer asked the mullah.

“Dear friend,” replied the mullah, “you know that I am always ready to give you help when you need it. My heart longs to lend my donkey to you, an orthodox man. It pleases my eye to see you bring home the fruits of the field with my donkey. But what, can I say, my dear friend? At the moment, someone else has my donkey”

Moved by the mullah’s sincerity, the farmer thanked him profusely by saying, “Well, even if you couldn’t help me, your kind words have helped me a great deal. May God be with you, O noble, kind, and wise mullah.” But, as the farmer was still frozen in a deep bow, there came from the stall a bloodcurdling heehaw. The farmer was startled, looked up in astonishment, and finally asked mistrustingly, “What do I hear? Your donkey is there after all. I heard his donkeylike voice.”

The mullah turned red with anger and screamed, “You ungrateful man. I told you the donkey is not there. Whom do you believe more: the mullah or the stupid cries of an even more stupid donkey?”