Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Individual Practice Test

What characterizes multiple family therapy?

1. Therapy involving individual families separately

2. Group therapy with several families

3. Focus on family dynamics without external input

4. One-on-one sessions within a group setting

The correct answer is: Group therapy with several families

Multiple family therapy is characterized by the involvement of several families coming together for joint therapy sessions. This approach allows families to interact not only with the therapist but also with one another, facilitating a broader understanding of issues that can affect multiple families similar in nature. Such a setup encourages shared experiences and provides opportunities for learning from others in comparable situations. This collective dynamic can foster support, enhance communication, and promote problem-solving as families observe and discuss each other's challenges and strategies. The other options reflect a different focus or structure of therapy. Individual therapy sessions address specific issues within a single family without the collaborative aspect found in multiple family therapy. Focusing solely on family dynamics without including external input fails to leverage the benefits of interaction with other families, which is integral to multiple family therapy. Lastly, one-on-one sessions within a group setting do not encompass the shared experience aspect of multiple family therapy, as they center on individual issues rather than fostering relationships among multiple families.