Who is recognized as the originator of structural family therapy?

Salvador Minuchin is recognized as the originator of structural family therapy, which he developed in the 1960s. This therapeutic approach focuses on family dynamics and structures, aiming to understand the organization of a family and the roles each member plays within that structure. Minuchin emphasized the importance of the family's boundaries, hierarchies, and subsystems, advocating for active intervention to restructure dysfunctional family interactions.

His work has been pivotal in demonstrating how therapeutic change can occur by modifying family organization and improving communication patterns among family members. By focusing on the underlying structures that govern family interactions, Minuchin's approach has provided valuable insights into how families can function more effectively and has influenced many contemporary family therapy practices.