Reunification therapy versus family integration therapy: A problem of taxonomy

Abstract

Family courts increasingly order psychotherapy to resolve issues of alienation and estrangement between parents and children. Reunification therapy is a clinical intervention and treatment application intended to unite estranged children and parents. Reunification therapy when used in the legal context implies that a cohesive family unit existed prior to the estrangement. Literature supports the implementation of reunification therapy in various cases; however, it should be utilized within specific parameters. Family integration therapy provides a more accurate representation of the process and describes the complex and comprehensive nature of integrating parent-child relationships. It is the authors’ opinion that the term “reunification therapy” is often a misuse of nomenclature that should be more accurately replaced by family integration therapy to facilitate increased options for the court and greater acceptance by custodial parents   Key words: Family courts, parent-child relationship, parental alienation, reunification process, reunification therapy, family integration therapy.