Keywords
family therapy, spatial relationships, family structure
Abstract
Several family systems therapists have discussed the value of observing families' spatial relationships as an aid in diagnosing family structure and processes. For example, Haley (1976) notes that: "When the family members seat themselves, sometimes the organization of the family is clarified" (p. 18). Minuchin (1974) also discusses the same idea when he writes: "When the family sits down, the family therapist should pay attention to how they position themselves. Often their placement can give him some hunches about family affiliations" (p. 207). The general idea behind this concept is that families often reveal a good deal about themselves in the way they arrange themselves spatially with one another.
Original Publication Citation
Crane, D. R., Dollahite, D. C., Griffin, W., & Taylor, V. L. (1987). Diagnosing relationships with spatial distance: An empirical test of clinical principle. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 13(3), 307-310.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Crane, D. Russell; Dollahite, David C.; Griffin, William; and Taylor, Vincent L., "Diagnosing relationships with spatial distance: An empirical test of a clinical principle" (1987). Faculty Publications. 5015.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5015
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1987
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7786
Publisher
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/