Structural therapy for a West African family

In West Africa kinship is a very important aspect of social organization; it is a hierarchical system which functions as the domestic group and in the wider realm of politico‐jural and economic relations. The individual is constituted through the kinship group. It is suggested that family therapy, especially structural family therapy, may be suitable as a treatment technique in such non‐individualistic societies. A case example is given to illustrate how this understanding can lead to successful therapy.