Although each provider has their own unique practice, there are certain underlying theoretical principles that unite everyone at the Gainesville Family Institute. It is important to openly articulate these principles, especially in a climate where historically oppressed voices continue to be threatened. These include:

Systemic Practice – Whether providing services to individuals, couples or families, we conceptualize and practice from a systemic framework. In doing so, we are interested in the context in which people live. Biological systems, familial systems, social systems, belief and meaning systems all influence our lives. People often think individually but we live relationally. 

Oppression Sensitive Practice – When understanding people’s life and the possibility for change, we are interested in forces that affect personal power and choice. Examples of these domains are (but are not limited to) : race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, health/ability, religion/spirituality, culture, and environment/ecology. Although most people report to believe in equality, we are not all equal in power and choice.

Accountable Practice –  Issues of accountability are central to our thinking. This is true both personally and interpersonally.  Although we all hold accountability to one another, when interpersonal systems are hierarchical or when power is unequal, those with more power hold a greater responsibility, ethically and morally, to be accountable to those with less.   

Developmental Practice -. The qualities of stability/homeostasis, change/growth and adaptation are common to all living things. This can be seen in the life of individuals, in relationships and in social systems. These qualities can also be considered from an intergenerational/historical perspective. We must all negotiate the change/no change dilemma.