Family therapy and systemic research centre
Supporting and promoting research in systemic and family therapy
This is a resource for families seeking evidence for the effectiveness of family therapy, systemic therapists continuing to develop their practice, researchers and service providers and policy makers.
Our aim is to make systemic research visible and easily accessible. Research has shown that systemic family and couple therapy is as effective—and in many cases more effective—than alternative interventions.
We host a database of family therapy and systemic research, which is updated regularly. Here you will find research on the outcomes and effectiveness of systemic therapy, and qualitative research studies investigating how change happens in therapy.
Evidence and outcome studies
Evidence and outcome studies We have listed research studies which provide evidence for the effectiveness of systemic and family therapy, and systematic reviews, meta-analyses and meta-syntheses. There is a section on family and couple measures and contextual studies and measures. Some papers critically engage with the question of evidence.
Process research
Process research These studies research therapeutic change processes and can be considered to produce ‘practice-based evidence‘. They include methods which analyse therapy sessions and methods which ask therapists and clients about their experience of therapy and the process of change. Please also refer to studies listed under Methodologies. Qualitative.
Topics
Topics
Research methodologies
Research methodologies Studies are categorised according to the research methodology used. We include references on research paradigms, and on researcher reflexivity. Qualitative Qualitative research studies are useful for clinicians and therapists because of their applicability to therapeutic and organisational practice. Included are process research studies, and research exploring meaning-making, language and its effects. Studies which explore…
Type of therapeutic approach
Type of therapeutic approach Studies here have been categorised according to the type of therapeutic approach and consultation that is being researched.
Tavistock systemic doctoral research theses
Tavistock systemic doctoral research theses Doctoral systemic and family therapy research carried out on the professional doctorate in systemic psychotherapy at the Tavistock. Many full texts available.
Other systemic doctorate and PhD research theses
Other systemic doctorate and PhD research theses Titles and links to systemic doctorate and Phd theses carried out at other institutes and universities. University of Bedfordshire Addiction Monica Whyte. (2021) My Nest is Full: Portraits of Multigenerational Households of Families Living with or Recovering from Addiction. Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice. University of Bedfordshire. Autism and…
Masters research dissertations
Masters research dissertations Titles and abstracts of systemic masters research dissertations from UK family therapy training institutes that were awarded distinctions or merits and from non-UK family therapy training institutes. Parenting Clinician persepectives Family perspectives ‘Race’ and culture in systemic psychotherapy Other Research with implications for therapy / systemic practice Organisations Therapy process
Journals
Journals The following journals regularly publish systemic and family therapy, narrative therapy and constructionist therapy research regularly.
Family therapy outcome measure SCORE-15 app
SCORE-15 is a self-report measure of family functioning proven to be a reliable and valid index of therapeutic change. FTSRC have developed a SCORE-15 app to enable SCORE data to become part of the therapy process for families and therapists.
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We circulate information about relevant research seminars and conferences, new published and unpublished research as well as requests for research participants.
Please let us know if you would like us to publicise your conference or research papers or if you would like to contact other systemic researchers in your area of interest we will circulate your request.
Research resources
Research tools
Research tools If you are carrying out research which requires you to ‘manualise’ the therapeutic practice you are developing, systemic competencies and manuals referenced here may be useful to draw on. A freely accessible family / relational outcome measure is also listed here. SCORE-15 index of family functioning and change SCORE is a self-report outcome…
Other systemic centres and researchers
Other systemic centres and researchers People Research centres relating to family & systemic thinking
Upcoming events
AFSP Annual Conference. Glasgow, Scotland. October 15 & 16, 2026. Come as You Are.
The Director of the FTSRC is Dr Charlotte Burck (left) and the Associate Director, Astrid Winkler (right)