title: [The role of the family therapist in the construction of the therapeutic system.].
abstract: In this article the author draws from his clinical experience those elements which permit him to illustrate how the family therapist constructs a therapeutic system. To this end he focuses on three particular aspects : 1) first he describes what confronts the therapist at the outset. He has to deal with an open or closed system (the family). To assess its degree of openness, he observes its survival rules, behavioural schémas and its homeostatic functioning. He explains how to begin the first interview in the light of the work of Shirley Luthman. He emphasizes the importance of circular logic as a basis for exploring the family problem. 3) He demonstrates the importance of redefining the problem, the therapeutic relation, and the context which may be judicial, or one of madness, protection or expectation. He concludes by insisting on the necessity for the therapist to be concerned essentially with process : how things happen between people.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cosqueric