A Constructivist Position for Family Therapy

Abstract

Hoffman details her shifts in therapeutic epistemology and describes the movements taken by family therapists in adopting a perspective which describes reality as that constructed by the observing system. In highlighting the centrality of ‘meaning’ to the constructivist position, she also emphasises the relevance of recognising a system as defined by a problem. She then examines the work and development of major constructivist contributors to family therapy practice, especially of those participating in and influenced by the Milan team.