Multiple Family Group Therapy: A Review of Its Applicability to the Practice of School Psychology

Abstract

As research continues to point to the relationship between a student's family functioning and school behavior, the family increasingly has become an important system with which school psychologists are concerned. Multiple family group therapy (MFGT), which represents an interaction of the therapeutic effects of family and group interventions, is a promising systems approach that school psychologists may consider in their practice. The benefits of utilizing MFGT, or elements of it, in the practice of school psychology include not only utilizing the family system to aid students, but also providing opportunities for reaching greater numbers of clients and for working collaboratively with other school personnel. Group composition, requisite skills and roles of group leaders, and specific techniques are discussed.