IN-LAWS - EXTENDED FAMILY-THERAPY

Beneath the surface of the presenting issues that bring clients into t herapy are often unresolved issues with the extended family, including lack of marital approval, in-law blaming (triangulation), family-of-o rigin loyalty issues, grudges, allocation of scarce resources, and und efined roles. Reframing these as ''in-law problems,'' therapists can g uide families to normalize these issues, especially when they occur in conjunction with life cycle changes. A problem-oriented, short-term, in-law therapy model enables the therapist to offer useful tools to he lp clients heal and strengthen relationships with the extended family.