The Family Therapist as Intermediary

The family therapist performs specific activities associated with his functions as a therapist, consultant, and intermediary. The intermediary function is based upon concepts associated with symbolic interactionism, the social psychology of George Ilerbert Mead. These concepts include the role of communication to establish meanings and in the development of a self, the importance of the significant other and taking the role of the other, behavior as afunction of the meaning of the situation, and the construction of interaction. In addition, concepts of role reciprocity and meanings expressed as motives or hypotheses which are used as the basis for behavior and attitude change activities are also utilized. The therapist's intermediary activities include: interpreter, clarifier, emissary, go-between, messenger, catalyst, mediator, arbitrator, negotiator. and referee. Examples of these activities are presented.