CLINICAL PROCESS RECORDING IN FOCAL FAMILY THERAPY*

Abstract
A method for systematically recording the process of family therapy (the Focal Therapy Record Sheet) is described, based on the focal approach developed in earlier papers by the authors. It demands a conceptual distinction between assessment of families and treatment techniques and embodies continuous evaluation of family improvement according to specific criteria. A detailed case illustration showing the Sheets completed for each of 14 sessions after two diagnostic interviews is provided, together with an anecdotal‐style account. The value of the instrument for teaching purposes, in routine clinical work and for research is discussed.