A Controlled Investigation of the Efficacy of Conjoint Marital Therapy: Interpretative Versus Directive

Abstract

The field of interpretative family therapy and its cognate discipline of marital psychotherapy have been well reviewed by BEELS and FERBER (1969). This form of marital therapy is practised according to two main theoretical models: psychoanalysis and systems theory. In both, the therapist’s time is mostly occupied in listening and in interpreting inconscious processes of here-and-now observed interaction; little direct advice is given. Within both theoretical frameworks, there are big variations in technique, some therapists prefering a more dominant central role, while others sit back and make infrequent comments or interpretations. BEELS and FERBER have actually observed family therapists at work and give good, clear descriptions of their activities, which in some cases are similar to published descriptions, and in others seem to be much wider-ranging. No clear answer is given to the question: “Is the therapeutic intervention effective?” According to WELLS et al. (1972) only one of the many trials of family therapy was adequately controlled.