The primary causes of violence are uncertain, but some relevant variables are cultural norms, individual psychopathology and personality characteristics of the perpetrator, neurological abnormalities, substance abuse, and the victim's tempermental characteristics. Families differ with regard to whether they confine their violence to within the family and what member is selected as the victim. Before working with violent families, therapists must come to terms with their own fears and impulses toward violence. Family therapy, although difficult, is particulary advantageous in treating violent families. Clinic staff found that wife beating could be best understood as a significant component of interactional behavior sequences between the partners. The therapist's immediate problem is to supportively involve the man without condoning his violent behavior. Family therapists also learn to recognize countertransference reactions as valuable indicators of the marital dynamics. In cases of child abuse, experience has shown that familiarity with the family may result in increased acceptance of the abuser without diminishing concern felt for the child. The therapist must translate behavior into interpersonal relations to avoid the imputation of blame, observe the child to determine what triggers hostility in the parent, and examine the child's interactional patterns within the family. Overcoming resistance and involving all family members is particularly important in family violence cases. While the short-term treatment goal is the cessation of violence, modification of the family system must be the long-term objective. Case examples and 25 references are supplied.