Language and cultural differences can pose barriers to effective intervention in migrant families in conflict. Family therapy approaches can provide some useful strategies for overcoming these obstacles. A family therapy approach can (1) emphasise the value of utilizing natural network support systems; (2) provide a model which helps clarify communication problems arising in the relay of information through a third person acting as an interpreter; (3) underline the importance of non‐verbal and process aspects of family communication; (4) suggest techniques for negotiating, joining, and finding commonalities of family experience between a therapist and family of different ethnic background.The therapist needs to develop sensitivity to both the universal and specific ethno‐cultural structures, norms and problems of families; when this sensitivity is achieved powerful and culturally syntonic healing forces can be released. Examples of successful family therapy interventions in some Greek families in conflict are gi