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

Larry Barlow, assistant professor of marriage and family therapy at Capella University, recounts a personal episode that brought him and his wife up short.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

"Intensive day treatments will include family therapy, individual therapy and support, and parents are coached in helping the young person to recover."

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2025

Berry and Nahla Ariela Aubry, the “X-Men” actor’s 15-year-old daughter from her previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry, are allowed to join the family therapy sessions.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2023

“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