Different styles of practice in family therapy are increasingly distinguished by reference to theory originating from such fields as literary theory, literary criticism, philosophy, politics, art, sociology, linguistics and anthropology. The knowledge base of family therapy only minimally overlaps with these fields. Given that much of this theorising is concerned with undermining hierarchy and authority, it is an irony that much of it is itself intimidating and inviting of conformity with its own prescriptions.Family therapy theorizing is very susceptible to the influence of the latest fashions in thinking, and it is often the more outrageous, shocking and provocative ideas which win attention. In this article it is argued that it is possible to accept the challenges posed by constructivist/post‐modernist thinking without having to give up valuable middle groun