MEDICAL FAMILY-THERAPY - AN EMERGING ARENA FOR FAMILY-THERAPY

This paper describes an important recent development in American famil y therapy. Medical family therapy uses a biopsychosocial systems model to work with families who have a member with a chronic illness or dis ability. The authors maintain that family therapy has tended to embrac e thc mind-body split and to view itself too narrowly as a mental heal th specialty. Medical family therapists work collaboratively with phys icians and other health professionals to help families achieve a sense of agency and communion in facing some of the greatest challenges tha t life brings.