Collaborative Family Therapy with Religious Family Systems

Abstract

Religion and spirituality have recently become topics of discussion among marriage and family therapists. A growing number of MFTs are beginning to explore ways to incorporate religion and spirituality into family therapy. This paper reviews the present literature, and points to certain perceived inadequacies that may exist within this body of literature when applied to religious families. The utility of the collaborative approach is proffered as a means to circumvent some of these inadequacies. Case examples illustrating the use and application of the collaborative approach with religious families are also given.