A CULTURAL-PERSPECTIVE ON FAMILY THEORY AND THERAPY

This article reviews the theoretical underpinnings of family therapy f rom a culturally informed perspective. Attention is paid to the defini tion of family, views regarding normal and dysfunctional family proces ses, the influence of culture on the family life cycle, and the associ ation between cultural values and family functioning. The major princi ples that support culturally informed family therapy are delineated, a nd culturally sensitive family assessment and intervention techniques are discussed. Clinical examples highlight the ways in which cultural issues influence the development of the working alliance, assessment p rocess, and goal-setting and problem-resolution phases of family thera py.