Family-of-Origin Work with Multi-Problem Families

Abstract

Multi-problem families present tremendous challenges to the mental health practitioner, who can be more vulnerable to being triangled into a "fix it" position because of the overwhelming life circumstances of these clients. The authors selected for the case discussion of this article a couple, the wife of whom had been in treatment with many agencies who saw her as having a very poor prognosis for change. Treatment was based on the assumption that this couple did have inner resources and could change. Bowen theory, contextual principles and object relations theory guided the treatment. The result was a decrease in cut off relationships with the clients' significant family members, a marked decrease in their initial depression, and a notable increase in their capacity to listen to each other and negotiate about their needs.