Family and Systems Therapy and Training in Portugal

• Published in: Contemporary family therapy Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 296 - 307
• Main Authors: Relvas, Ana Paula, Alarcão, Madalena, Pereira, M. Graça
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Appearance; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical experience; Clinical Psychology; Community Services; Family; Family Therapy; Illness; Intervention; Medicine; Original Paper; Portugal; Professional practices; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Work; Sociology; Systemic family therapy; Systems Theory; Therapists; Training; Family intervention contexts; Family and systems therapy; Family therapists’ training
• ISSN: 0892-2764; 1573-3335
• DOI: 10.1007/s10591-013-9255-5

The history of systemic family therapy in Portugal since its appearance until the present is discussed. Some data on systemic family therapists’ training is provided in the context of the Portuguese Society of Family Therapy and Academic Institutions. In Portugal, family therapy has been extended to various contexts, including medical and community services. Finally, future directions for family and systems therapy practice and training in Portugal are provided emphasizing the importance of family interventions as an important resource to empower families living with health chronic conditions. The Portuguese Family Therapy Society, every 2 years, organizes a scientific Iberian conference with Portuguese and Spanish speakers. This allows the exchange of clinical experience and research about family and systems theory.