Couple therapy and systemic interventions for adult-focused problems: The evidence base

Abstract

This twenty-fifth anniversary review updates previous similar papers published in JFT in 2000, 2009, 2014 and 2019. It presents evidence from meta-analyses, systematic reviews and controlled trials for the effectiveness of couple therapy and systemic interventions for adults with a range or relationship and mental physical health problems. The evidence supports the effectiveness of systemic interventions, either alone or as part of multimodal programmes, for relationship distress, psychosexual problems, intimate partner violence, anxiety and mood disorders, alcohol problems, schizophrenia and adjustment to chronic physical illness. Systemic interventions are as effective as evidenced-based individual psychotherapeutic interventions for all of these problems, and more effective than individual therapy for some, including for relationship distress, situational intimate partner violence and delaying relapse in schizophrenia.