Evolution of the biopsychosocial model in the practice of Family Therapy

Medical family therapy represents the maturity of the family therapy’s field emphasizing the collaboration between family therapists and medical providers. This theoretical study describes the evolution of this new discipline from its conception in the biopsychosocial model, to our days, starting with biopsychosocial oriented family theories, family centered medical care and culminating with the creation of medical family therapy. Biopsychosocial oriented family theory emphasized the relationship between health and psychosocial dimensions. Family Oriented Primary Care provided the physician with the counseling skills necessary to address the patient emotional needs regarding medical problems. Finally, Medical Family Therapy applies family therapy techniques in families with specific health problems and its focus is in advocating for patients, family members and health care professionals in integrated health care. Medical family therapy as a new discipline represents the development of family therapy in the practice of biopsychosoical medicine both theoretically and in health care delivery. This paper also addresses political issues that medical family therapy has to face regarding health care in particular the use of the DSM-IV diagnosis.