An account of family therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand from the 1960s to 1995 interpreted from the literature.

Abstract

This description of family therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand from the 1960s to 1995 is the author’s interpretation of published literature. It traces the early influence of psychological medicine, social workers and overseas experts, leading to the spread of regional interest groups, national and binational conferences, and mounting sociopolitical pressure on family therapy from feminism, cultural justice and antipoverty movements during the 1980s. Several landmark publications and events in the period 1990–1995 reflect the growing stature and bright future of family therapy in New Zealand before controversy at the Third Joint Australia and New Zealand Family Therapy conference in Wellington during 1995 appears to catalyse a stalling of further national or binational development for over a decade. Critical research on the period 1990–1995 is proposed to explore what lessons the past may hold for the future development of family therapy in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)