David M. Kleist

Review of Narrative Therapy: Research and Utility

Narrative therapy has captured the attention of many in the family counseling field. Despite the apparent appeal of narrative therapy as a therapeutic modality, research on its effectiveness is in its in-fancy. This article will review current research on narrative therapy and discuss why a broader research base has yet to be developed. Suggestions for practitioners also will be provided.

Live Supervision: A Review of the Research

This article reviews research on live supervision published within the past 12 years. The focus of the research on live supervision can be conceptualized as addressing its prevalence and use, the impact of live supervision interventions, and perceptions of live supervision by supervisors, trainees, and clients. Implications for supervisors, practitioners, and future research are discussed.

Single-Parent Families: A Difference that Makes a Difference?:

Single-parent families can no longer be viewed as nontraditional families. More than 25% of American families are headed by either a mother or a father. As more single-parent families have appeared on the American landscape, interest has grown as to the effect of single-parent households on children’s well-being. A common myth has developed that single-parent households are detrimental to a child’s well-being. This article reviews current research on the effects of single-parent households on children’s well-being. Implications for family counselors will follow.

Research on the Long-Term Effects of Child Abuse.

This review explores recent quantitative and qualitative studies of the long-term effects of child abuse, specifically, how abuse in child-hood affects adulthood. There is a plethora of studies that examine the effects of abuse on children and adolescents, but the long-term effects of abuse have received less attention. Many studies associate various forms of abuse experienced in childhood with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, and relational problems in adulthood. The articles reviewed may inform marriage and family counselors about the effects in adulthood of abuse experienced in childhood.

Divorce Mediation: Research and Implications for Family and Couples Counseling

This article reviews the past 10 years of divorce mediation research. Relevant topics of mediation research such as efficiency, client satisfaction, impact on psychological adjustment, levels of conflict and cooperation and a comparison with the adversarial process are presented. Most studies find favorable results for the mediation process. Implications of the mediation process will be discussed for those who are counseling families and couples.

Reflecting on the Reflecting Process: A Research Perspective

Reflecting teams have garnered much attention since Andersen introduced the process in 1987. The majority of the published literature on reflecting teams has described its uses across a variety of settings and clinical presentations. However, a growing body of literature exists describing efforts to research the reflecting process to better understand the process and what is experienced as helpful. This article reviews the available research on reflecting teams and discusses the implications of the results for future practice and research.

Family Resiliency: A Neglected Family Construct

Exploring resiliency in families provides a perspective for family counselors to interact with clients in more proactive ways. Researchers and practitioners across manyfields are currently refining our understanding of the construct of resiliency. This review examines research on the construct of resiliency and examinesfactors that promote resiliency in individuals and families. Implications for family counselors, societal systems, and future research are discussed.

Multiple Family Group Therapy: An Interpersonal/Postmodern Approach:

Multiple Family Group Therapy has been identified as a viable treatment model for a variety of client populations. A combination of family systems theories and therapeutic group factors provide the opportunity to explore multiple levels of intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships between families. All group members are afforded the opportunity of both giving and receiving feedback about strengthening their own family ties. This article depicts a Multiple Family Group Therapy model based on interpersonal and postmodern theories of therapy. A theoretical base is provided in conjunction with descriptions of weekly activities.

Counseling Blended Families

In U.S. society, the term step, when combined with mother, father, child or family, is often used to indicate abnormal or substandard. By the year 2000, however, stepfamilies (also known as blendedfamilies) will be the norm-more than 50% of U.S. families. This article explores significant unique blended-family qualities identified by recent research and implications for assessment and intervention.

Current Use of Qualitative Research Methodology in Couples and Family Counseling.

This review explores recent use of qualitative methodology in research relating to marriage and family counseling. Qualitative research methodology is experiencing increased interest by the human disciplines as the influence of postmodern philosophy expands. The seven research articles described herein highlight the potential benefits and challenges qualitative methodology can have for the field of marriage andfamily counseling.