WHAT WE SAY WE DO - RESULTS OF THE 1997 UK-ASSOCIATION-OF-FAMILY-THERAPY MEMBERS SURVEY

This study represents the first UK national survey of family therapist s and systemic practitioners. The aim was to provide demographic infor mation of systemic practitioners/family therapists and also to describ e their clinical practice. The sampling frame used was the UK Associat ion of Family Therapy membership list and all members were sent a post al questionnaire. The response rate was 33% with 495 out of 1500 quest ionnaires returned. Among the major findings were: systemic practition ers/family therapists are most likely to work for an NHS trust, to use family therapy techniques/systemic ideas predominantly, and to treat a broad range of client issues. They are also most likely to work with families, and therapy is relatively short term (five to eight session s) regardless of whether they treat families, couples or individuals. Most family therapists/systemic practitioners use some measure of outc ome, although frequently this will be feedback from clients. Supervisi on is sought by the majority of AFT members. In spite of some methodol ogical limitations, the study provides interesting insights into the t raining and practice of UK family therapists and systemic practitioner s which appears to differ in some respects from our American colleague s. It also provides a baseline for future surveys, making it possible to describe the developments of family therapy and systemic practice i n this country.