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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffFamily therapy is a type of psychotherapy. Through family therapy, families or individuals within a family learn better ways to interact with each other and resolve conflicts. If your family is feeling torn apart, family therapy may help you heal.
Family therapy is usually provided by clinical social workers or licensed therapists known as marriage and family therapists. These therapists have graduate or postgraduate degrees — and many choose to become credentialed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Family therapy is often short term. Family therapy may include all family members or just those most able to participate. The specific treatment plan will depend on your family's situation.
- FAQ's on MFT's. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/faqs/index_nm.asp. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Marriage and family therapists: The family-friendly mental health professionals. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/Press_Room/MFT%20Brochure%207-03.htm. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Gurman AS, et al. Family therapy and couple therapy. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:2584.
- Psychotherapies. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Jager MW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 4, 2009.
