Family therapy in Macau: Development, challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Family therapy in Macau is in its early stages of development. The Satir model and structural family therapy were the first two therapies introduced. Later on, solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy were also introduced. Macau has been undergoing dramatic socioeconomic changes since the relaxation of the gambling licenses. In sociocultural terms this has led to significant changes: the so-called ‘dealer's complex’, gambling, drug abuse and youth deviance have become more prevalent. To address complicated family problems, various counselling institutes and training centres were established to conduct family therapy. However, there are still some limitations and challenges that must be addressed in order to have a thriving family therapy profession in Macau.