With the rapid development and increasing applications of family therapy during the past ten years, there have been a number of reports by various workers stating their reasons for undertaking the treatment of the family as a unit. There have also been some results reported, although these reports have not been as numerous as those describing the indications for family therapy.
It is the purpose of this communication to present what we have found to be their indications and short-term results and to offer a rationale for family treatment based on ego-psychological and group process concepts. In reviewing the literature, four areas shall be described: indications, settings, length and frequency of interviews, and results.
In 1890, a social worker, Zilpha Smith,39,41 in an address to her colleagues stated, "Most of you deal with poor persons or defective persons as individuals, removed from family