D. Litt et Phil. (Psychology) / The need was identified to place the work of Mara Selvini PalazzoIi (PalazzoIi) within a specific socio-political and theoretical context in order to be able to appraise her contributions to the field of family therapy. Therefore the first part of this thesis examines the Italian context within which Palazzoli's work has evolved, with specific emphasis on certain social and political changes which have taken place in the past twenty five years. These transformations also led to a new mental health legislation (Law 180 of 1978) which saw the closing down of psychiatric institutions and in turn greatly encouraged the development of family therapy. A close analysis of Law 180 is provided with specific criticism from a systemic perspective. The nature of the Italian families with which PalazzoIi has worked is also briefly examined. Certain theoretical influences have also played an important part in the development of her work from psychoanalysis to systems theory, and lastly to complexity. These are examined, although the emphasis falls on the work of the Frenchman Edgar Morin with regard to complexity, because of the epistemological value it has for PalazzoIi's latest work. This historical development of Palazzoli's work is examined in great detail within a "complex dialectical" framework which focuses on how knowledge develops and how contradictions are often present in this process. Her psychoanalytical work is seen as the thesis of this dialectical process, moving to its antithesis, namely systems theory and, lastly the synthesis found in a model of family games. This process seems to be evolving once again and a new thesis is identified in the most recent therapeutic and theoretical developments. Attention is also given to the work carried out by PalazzoIi in larger organizations as it shows how family therapy principles can be adapted to other than therapeutic contexts. Having created this contextual framework for a critical appraisal the last chapter examines Palazzoli's work in terms of so-called "internal" and "external" factors in an attempt to identify the significance of her work for the theory and practice of family therapy. Some recommendations for future research arising from this study are given at the end of the thesis.

M.Cur. / In the out-patient section of the Adolescent Unit at Tara, The H Moross Centre, certain problem areas were identified. In this section, adolescents with mostly behaviour problems are evaluated and where necessary, family therapy service is rendered or the patient may be admitted depending on the type and severity of the problem. The problems experienced in this section became very pressing due to the uneven ratio between the demand for the service and the availability of staff. At the centre of these problems lies the issue of resistance in the family towards change, resulting in broken appointments and premature termination of therapy. A lot of time is also wasted by faulty referrals and data gathering 1s in itself, very time-consuming. A new nursing need emerged out of these problems. Firstly, the emotional preparation of the family and, secondly, as part of her role as member of the therapeutic team, to gather relevant data which will aid the development of an adequate diagnosis of the family. A post was created on an experimental basis for the nurse to conduct an initial interview with families at home. At the same time it was decided to evaluate the effectiveness of this home visit through an empirical study to justify this service.

Although there is an increasing amount of literature on the area of child sexual abuse, there is a dearth of information on the experiences of mothers following disclosure. Illuminating the issues of mothers following disclosure is necessary in formulating therapeutic procedures with these women and their families. This qualitative study explored the experiences of five mothers whose children were sexually abused by a father or step father. One and a half to two hour videotaped interviews were conducted utilizing a general interview guide. The findings were categorized into three areas: Reaction to Disclosure, Changing Social Relationships, and Healing Process. Emerging from these three categories were two themes that appeared to link the categories. These themes were the importance these women placed on their role as protector of their children, and the struggles with role or relationship disruptions. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

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This study is for family therapists.It reviews theory and techniques on the topic of joining in structural family therapy.It offers a way with clients, which can be internally reflected on, investigated, argued about,integrated and finally accepted,ignored or modified. Action research was selected as the research design. The topic which was investigated was a family system seen during practicalsessions at Unisa. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

This study is for family therapists.It reviews theory and techniques on the topic of joining in structural family therapy.It offers a way with clients, which can be internally reflected on, investigated, argued about,integrated and finally accepted,ignored or modified. Action research was selected as the research design. The topic which was investigated was a family system seen during practicalsessions at Unisa. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

Utilizing ethnographic methodology, this study examined and described the filial therapy process to provide an in-depth understanding of the process, the relations in progress, and effects on the parent, child, and parent/child relationship. This study supports filial therapy as a viable option for educating parents in effective parenting and training as agents of change. The results appear to be generalizable to other parents engaged in learning filial therapy since previous research reported similar findings.

This exploratory study drew from research in family art therapy assessment by Kwiatkowska (1978), Landgarten (1987), Kurinsky (1986), and Wilson (1988). The objectives of this study were to develop a theoretically consistent art therapy assessment tool for Adlerians to use in initial family therapy interviews and to evaluate its effectiveness in a field test with families of adolescents. Accounts of the families' perceptions of their AFAAT experience and the researcher's and three trained family therapists' interpretation of the six families were provided. An overview of the six families' perceptions of their AFAAT experience, their interactions, their art works, and hypotheses about indicators of adolescence as seen in their art works were also described. Although compelling anecdotal information about families of adolescents and their art work was obtained from the study, the validity and reliability of the AFAAT, as established in this study, is insufficient. Recommendations for improvements to the AFAAT and ideas for future studies to refine and utilize it more effectively concluded the study.

This dissertation intends describing and understanding my development as a therapist over a two year period. The question which prompted the research is to what extent the therapist directs change within the therapeutic process. It therefore considers the issue of intervention in therapy. The social constructionist theory is utilised to understand more fully the issues around intervention in therapy. A qualitative research methodology is followed, which has as its foundation an emergent design. The raw data takes the form of a journal, which is a case determined diary. The conclusions drawn at the end of the study are idiographic and reflective. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)