The family approach at each moment.

In this paper I have demonstrated some of the skills involved in an approach to the entire family at each moment. I have focused on a family approach in well child care, episodic care for children, and adolescent pregnancy and have demonstrated how such an approach is essentially preventive. The traditional relationship of the family physician with individuals, usually women and mothers, creates an implicit alliance with the symptom bearer which may work contrary to the goals of treatment. Avoidance of hidden alliances and open communication with all members of the family permit the doctor to engage with families in a relationship which is both preventive and therapeutic.