The use of family myths as an aid to strategic therapy

Abstract

The concept of family myth can be used by the therapist to help organize the wealth of information provided by a family in therapy. Rituals, symbols and metaphors can be viewed as structurally related components within the family myth system which enable the therapist to interpret non‐literal, analogic communications as a coherent yet primarily symbolic, narrative about the family's shared perceptions of its functioning. The concept of myth is explored in relation to mythology, the family therapy literature, and a case study. Several strategic intervention strategies are proposed which utilize the family's own metaphors, symbols and rituals to re‐edit the family myth. Re‐editing the myth on a symbolic level should be associated with improved system functioning, including more concrete areas of the family's life. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved