According to Nagy, what role does the therapist play in Contextual Family Therapy?

In Contextual Family Therapy, the therapist's role is primarily seen as a guide, helping family members navigate issues of trust, fairness, and relational dynamics. This approach emphasizes the importance of the relational context and the ethical dimensions of interactions among family members.

By acting as a guide back to trust and fairness, the therapist facilitates conversations that allow family members to express their feelings and experiences, helping them to understand the underlying issues that contribute to conflicts. This focus on rebuilding trust and enhancing fairness within family relationships is crucial for achieving healing and resolution. The concept aligns with Nagy's foundational ideas, particularly about balancing relational exchanges and ensuring that all voices are heard in the family system.

While mediating between family members, evaluating family dynamics, or judging moral values may seem relevant, these roles do not encapsulate the core of Nagy's vision for Contextual Family Therapy. Mediation suggests a more neutral stance that might lack the active facilitation of trust and fairness, while evaluation and judgment could lead to imbalances rather than restoring healthy relationships. Thus, the model underscores the importance of guiding families toward recognizing and addressing relational injustices, making the role of the therapist as a guide back to trust and fairness central to the therapeutic process.