The importance of robust and rigorous research underlies our clinical practice and theory and is hence one of AFT’s key strategic objectives. We support our members, trainees and students to undertake  both quantitative and qualitative research, to publish findings from their studies and to disseminate the findings through our conferences and webinars.

Systemic Family and Couple Therapy Research

Research has shown that systemic family and couple therapy is as effective—and in many cases more effective—than alternative interventions, often at a lower cost.

• Systemic family therapy has been found to be effective for children's and adults' difficulties, both when they have a mental health diagnosis and when there is more general or complex distress.

• It is effective across the life cycle, spanning developmental stages from under fives to old age.

• Working therapeutically with individuals together with their families and/or significant others enables the use of individuals’ relationships as a resource, and reduces stress and difficulties for all family members.

• Family therapy has also been found to be particularly effective during severe and complex disorders requiring extensive treatment.
  

• Systemic family therapy can sometimes include relational work with individuals, psychoeducational approaches and multiple family groups.
  

Research and Outcome Evidence

An extensive list of research studies into outcomes and effectiveness can be found:

• On the Family Therapy & Systemic Research Centre’s reference pages, and are summarised
• In the Evidence Base of Family Therapy & Systemic Practice (2016) document published by AFT.

Further reviews of specific areas include:

Research and evidence for systemic therapies in later life – Jeffery, S. (2019) A catch-up on research and evidence for systemic therapies in later life. Context, 165: 33-36. (PDF)