The relationship between marriage and family therapists and complementary and alternative medicine approaches: a qualitative study.
In this article, we delineate the qualitative phase of a mixed-method research study focused on understanding the relationship between Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Based on an analysis of the data derived from telephone interviews with 54 respondents, we describe four themes: definitional issues, depth of awareness of CAM, fit with MFT, and ethical considerations. Our discussion focuses on the findings of this phase, considerations from the quantitative phase, and reflections on the research study as a whole. While acknowledging the limitations of the study, we conclude that the growing awareness of and involvement with CAM approaches and practitioners among MFTs suggest a need for further education for both professionals and clients. We also note the importance of additional research support for the use of CAM practices.
School of Social Work, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, USA. becvards@slu.edu
Dorothy S
DS
Becvar
Karen L
KL
Caldwell
Jon L
JL
Winek
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000941:ethics; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States