Criminology, social work, psychoanalytic theory, psychotherapy, and the family therapy tradition itself have all contributed to the use of a family approach in the treatment of aggressive adolescents. The psychodynamic approach to family therapy emphasizes the roles that interpersonal and intrapsychic conflict play in determining the adolescent's behavior. Studies on the use of this approach have not provided for adequate evaluation. Behavioral approaches to family therapy have rested on social learning theory. They have used three subtypes of family therapy: operant therapy, efforts to change communication patterns rather than the consequences of specific behaviors, and a combination approach focusing on both communication and behavior. Behavioral interventions have been productive and promising, although they have significant limitations. Success is lower with disorganized or socially overwhelmed families, and therapist characteristics are crucial. The community approach to family therapy views the adolescent and family as part of larger social systems. It provides a basis for intervention in larger systems, such as the school system. Controlled studies of effectiveness are generally lacking. More careful design and controls are needed before any specific family approach can claim specific effectiveness with particular subgroups of adolescents and families. The characteristics of therapists seem to have more influence on outcomes than do the uses of specific techniques. Nevertheless, the use of family approaches for youths with conduct disorders appears promising. Fifty-five references are supplied.