From the Editor: An International Potpourri

One of the aspects of editing this journal that I most enjoy is its international orientation, as indicated in its subtitle and with its emphasis on encouraging and including articles submitted by family therapists from around the world. I find it fascinating to hear so many varied voices, to learn about the unique challenges and dynamics of therapy in different cultures, and at the same time to see the commonalities that are part and parcel of the therapy process despite differences in context. In an era when international connections are so easily facilitated and maintained via such technological wonders as email or the use of skype, it seems only appropriate that we take as broad a view of the family therapy world as possible. And I especially laud those who are willing to overcome the potentially daunting challenge of conveying their ideas in a language that is not their first in order to have their articles published in this journal. Although unplanned, I therefore was gratified to see that three of the four articles selected for publication in this edition were submitted by residents of countries other than the United States.

From Finland Aarno Laitila shares thoughts about “The Expertise Question Revisited: Horizontal and Vertical Expertise,” advocating for a both/and perspective that encourages a recognition of the importance of making recourse to expertise as defined relative to both modernist and postmodernist perspectives.

Monica Wong provides food for thought from Canada relative to the importance, as well as the creation and application of pre-marital inventories in ways that are culturally sensitive and thus appropriate in her article “Strengthening Connections in Interracial Marriage Through Pre-Marital Inventories: A Critical Literature Review.”

Another Canadian contribution comes from Heather Ramey, Donato Tarulli, Jan Frijters, and Lianne Fisher, who report on “A sequential Analysis of Externalizing in Narrative Therapy with Children,” describing findings that support Michael White’s model of narrative therapy.

Finally, our lone article from the US was written by Anibal Torres Bernal, whose focus is “Family Therapy Education and Higher Education Administration Policy: Facing New Challenges,” and who suggests the need for attention to as well as some strategies for maintaining the economic viability of family therapy programs.

Thus, this edition offers an international potpourri, one that readers certainly may find useful. Hopefully, it also will be a catalyst for further submissions from those living and working in other countries. This, to me, is an important facet of cultural sensitivity and competence.