ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a brief orientation to the models and sources of the various schools of family therapy. The fundamental concept that underpins most family therapies is that of systems theory. Family therapists use systems theory to help them remember to concentrate on patterns and relationships. Systems theory maintains that both mechanical and living organisms function as an amalgam of relationships. Systems theory and cybernetics clearly sounds very mechanical. The range of family therapies influenced by Postmodern and social constructionist ideas is large. This group of family therapies includes therapies that are called 'collaborative', 'dialogical' and 'humanistic'. The various models included in this group are coordinated management of meaning (CMM), appreciative enquiry and therapy informed by Positioning Theory. To return to the metaphor of the orchestra, the family therapy session is expected to help the family find a new way of playing together and practise the new tune(s) during the session.
