WORKING WITH MEN IN FAMILY-THERAPY - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

The results of this exploratory research provide a beginning formulati on of a gender-sensitive approach to working with men in family therap y. A panel of 36 family therapists endorsed 131 interventions as appro priate and effective ways to work with men. The results suggest the im portance of therapist awareness of gender issues and socialization in working with male clients. Interventions were highly endorsed in the a reas of developing therapist perceptual and conceptual skills regardin g gender, promoting mutual responsibility, and challenging sterotypica l behaviors and attitudes. Surprisingly few interventions pertaining t o structuring treatment and encouraging affective expression in men ha d sufficient consensus to be included in the final results.