Lost in Translation: Applying Principles of Translational Science to Systemic Family Therapy Research

Abstract

Translational science has specific stages outlined by the National Institute of Health. Systemic family therapy (SFT) researchers do not seem to explicitly embrace this paradigm, though many are actively adding to the discipline’s empirically supported intervention base. We discuss the role of translational science in the landscape of SFT research. We report the findings of a case study review of a year’s worth of SFT scholarship. We make recommendations on how researchers can use this paradigm to help practitioners better understand the limits of applying research findings in their clinical practice, and provide recommendations for how to write clinical implications sections.