Managing family differences

Key points to keep in mind

1. Families should be placed in the context of clans and tribes.

2. Transitions and family events cause families to question their family identity, boundaries, and values.

3. Patients should explore their individual expectations about what families should do. This conversation can be extensive, and include cultural and generational flash points.

4. If there is a tangled web that makes no sense to you, refer to a colleague with family therapy skills.

Dr. Heru is professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado Denver, Aurora. She is editor of “Working With Families in Medical Settings: A Multidisciplinary Guide for Psychiatrists and Other Health Professionals” (New York: Routledge, 2013). She has no conflicts of interest to disclose.