Though depression is one of the most common presenting problems treated by systemic therapists, there have been relatively few attempts to describe how specific systemic therapy models can be applied to treat couples dealing with depression. In this paper, we discuss how contextual therapy can be used to treat depression in couples therapy. We identify multidirected partiality as an intervention and as a characteristic. We introduce letter writing and internalized other interviewing as contextual interventions that help to facilitate partiality and understanding between clients.

This case study demonstrates the use of the Multi-dimensional Relational Family Therapy approach with an adolescent and her adoptive family for the purpose of securing her attachment to them. The work allowed her to move from a potentially destructive state to a more affirmed sense of herself. This case study supports the power of therapeutic intervention as a way to treat adolescents and their families before behaviors become pathological.

This study’s aim was to apply a Contextual theory lens on exploring whether knowledge of parental infidelity affects the Relational Ethics (RE) of adult children. The Relational Ethics Scale (RES) was used to capture horizontal (partner) and vertical (family of origin) relational ethics in a clinical sample of 195 participants. A repeated measures ANOVA tested the differences in RES scores among the participants who reported knowledge of parental infidelity and the participants who did not.

De rubriek Opnieuw aangesproken bestaat dit keer uit twee onderscheiden bijdragen: (1) 'contextueel-pastorale overwegingen' van Annette Melzer en (II) 'een denkkader vanuit contextuele theorie' van Kees Bregman. Samen vormen ze een contextuele 'spullenhulp'. 

Naarmate het contextuele denken zich verder verspreidt, neemt ook het aantal ideeën binnen het contextuele gedachtegoed zelf toe. Hoe verhouden deze nieuwe inzichten zich tot wat oorspronkelijk aan de basis lag? In deze rubriek wordt telkens één aspect onder de loep genomen.