Influence of the reflecting team on the family meaning system
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the infleunce of the reflecting team on the family meaning system in family therapy.
IRAS ID
135797
Contact name
Christina Barker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Research summary
The research aims to investigate the influence of the reflecting team (RT) on the process of meaning making in family therapy using positioning theory as a guiding framework. Theoretical and practical explanations of the RT processes exist, however there is a dearth of empirical research and very few outcome or process studies monitor the effectiveness or use of RTs in practice. Due to a lack of process research specific to the RT, our understanding of the process and impact of the RT in action is limited. As RTs are relatively demanding of professional resources, this approach has significant cost implications. It is therefore essential that efficacy and process studies are undertaken to establish whether the RT is effective, and the means by which it is, or is not effective to justify the continued use of RT’s, particularly in light of current public economic hardship. The current research will seek to begin to address this gap by undertaking research which focuses specifically on the RT process in order to differentiate the impact of the RT from other therapeutic and extra therapeutic factors. A qualitative approach will be adopted to explore the process of the RT in practice, with particular attention to the influence of the RT on the family’s meaning system. This will be indicated by mapping the relative positioning of family members in discussions prior to the RT, by the RT, and subsequent to the RT.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/1179
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion