AAMFT master series tapes: An analysis of the inclusion of feminist principles into family therapy practice

Content analysis of 23 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Master Series tapes was used to determine how well feminist behaviors have been incorporated into "ideal" family therapy practice. Feminist behaviors were infrequent, being evident in fe ver than 3% of time blocks in event s ampling and 10 of 39 feminist behaviors of the Feminist Family Therapist Be havior Checklist. These eminent therapists most often dealt with empowermen t of male clients and management of power differentials in the therapeutic relationship in a relatively feminist manner but they tended to hold women responsible for family issues, endorsed traditional rather than egalitarian relationships, and overlooked how the social context affects families. Sev eral of the therapists were blatantly sexist in their treatment of female c lients, communicating disrespect of and pathologizing them. The few tapes p ortraying effective incorporation of feminist principles in family therapy indicate that a handful of behaviors are key to this approach.