pt. 1. The systemic framework: -- Two different world views -- The historical perspective -- The paradigmatic shift of systems theory -- Postmodernism and social constructionism -- Therapeutic intervention and strategies -- Family process -- pt. 2. Models of family therapy: -- Psychodynamic approaches -- Experiential approaches -- The structural approach -- Communications approaches -- Strategic approaches and the Milan influence -- Behavioral approaches -- Evolving therapeutic models -- The many modalities of family therapy -- pt. 3. Epistemological challenges: -- Assessment and research -- Pathologies of epistemology, cybernetics of cybernetics, and family therapy.