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Milan systemic family therapy: a review of ten empirical investigations
Author(s) -
Carr Alan
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1046/j..1991.00425.x
Subject(s) - audit , systemic therapy , family therapy , psychology , psychotherapist , empirical research , outcome (game theory) , clinical psychology , medicine , cancer , breast cancer , philosophy , mathematics , management , mathematical economics , epistemology , economics
Ten empirical investigations of Milan Family Therapy (MFT) are reviewed in this paper. The studies include both single and comparative group outcome trials; investigations of therapeutic process; clinical audit and consumer satisfaction surveys. Substantive findings and methodological issues are discussed in the light of family therapy and individual psychotherapy research generally. Findings indicate that MFT may lead to symptomatic change in two‐thirds to three‐quarters of cases and to systemic change in half the treated cases. Engagement of fathers may be important for positive outcome. Technical aspects of MFT, such as the use of screens and teams, may lead to client dissatisfaction in some cases. MFT‐based consultation may be effective in resolving therapeutic impasses. Coupled with short‐term residential placement, MFT may reduce the risk and complexity of cases as rated by referring social workers.