Family Therapy in a Women’s Group: Integrating Marriage and Family Therapy and Group Therapy

Abstract

This article describes how a family therapy perspective can be integrated into group as a treatment modality. This conceptual approach offers new possibilities for marriage and family therapists when women alone seek help. Concepts from family therapy are illustrated through a description of a specific women’s group and case study. Techniques from family therapy applied in group are derived from multigenerational, experiential/humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Among them are the genogram, sculpting, role playing, reframing, and reconstructing the story. This integrative approach makes the process described available to therapists of many orientations. Similarly, the group therapy modality can have a great impact on family treatment.

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