Family Violence and Family Systems: Who Is the Patient

Bourne presents a case that raises provocative and difficult questions for all those in clinical practice. In responding to his article, I have made three assumptions. First, my remarks are based on a family systems perspective, a theoretical approach that emphasizes that understanding human behavior requires an appreciation of the context in which it occurs (Hoffman, 1981). Second, there are numerous issues raised in the article regarding legal matters, institutional policy, and clinical issues. I restrict myself to a discussion of some of the more salient ethical issues. Third, Bourne's article is written from the perspective of the institution's attorney. Mine is written from the perspective of a mental health professional.