Theories Guiding Home-Based Intensive Family Preservation Services

Abstract

Intensive family preservation services (IFPS) draw on four major theories for articulating ideal service delivery systems and treatments: crisis intervention theory, family systems theory, social learning theory, and ecological theory. This chapter addresses each of these theories and their derivative practices and describes their contribution to the delivery of IFP services. The general evidence indicating the usefulness of the theories and services based on them is reviewed. The junctures between theories and approaches are considered as are aspects of these services needing better articulation. Crisis intervention theorists differ in how they organize and conceptualize crises. The great contribution of Bandura and the social learning theorists arises from their grasp of the way that family members learn from each other. Social learning theorists and practitioners have a sometimes uneasy alliance with therapists employing strategies developed in Rational Emotive Therapy. Family systems theorists argue about the importance of avoiding systemic confusion caused by having multiple outside helpers with conflicting roles and plans.

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