family therapy

American  

noun

1. the psychotherapeutic treatment of more than one member of a family simultaneously at the same session, based on the assumption that problems can best be understood and corrected by observing the interaction of family members and identifying methods for improving their interrelationships.

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family therapy British  

noun

1. a form of psychotherapy in which the members of a family participate, with the aim of improving communications between them and the ways in which they relate to each other

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Etymology

Origin of family therapy

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

family therapy

The Cooleys spent a month searching for a family therapy program for Tyrell, who is on Medicaid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

The "road map" includes taking part in family therapy funded by their local authority.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025

“You’ve got to know how you feel,” says Patrick Yao, a marriage and family therapy trainee at Pelican Cove.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2024

“Students receive individual and family therapy by our licensed clinicians. We provide evidence-based training for our staff who are guided by our policies and procedures.”

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 27, 2023

She still isn’t sure if she’s ready, even after months of family therapy and one-on-one therapy and talks with Claire and Joaquin and Grace—but it’s her mother.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway