Family therapy in India: A new profession in an ancient land?

This paper examines the need for family therapy in India and its evolution as an integrated academic discipline and widespread form of clinical practi ce. Included is a discussion of the numerous factors placing Indian familie s at risk toda:lr, both common and more serious child, marital, and family difficulties, the current status of mental health services and minimal emph asis on family-based treatment, and the potential benefits of family therap y to such a radically diverse and rapidly changing society. Targets of and settings for family therapy training are highlighted, and a brief outline o f a training-the-trainer approach is provided.