The Family Check-Up: A Pilot Study of a Brief Intervention to Improve Family Functioning in Adults LISA A. UEBELACKER, PH.D.w JACKI HECHT, M.S.N.ww IVAN W. MILLER, PH.D.w Many barriers exist for families seeking appropriate treatment for family problems. In an effort to minimize some of these barriers, we developed the Family Check-Up, a brief two-session family intervention. The Family Check-Up is based on the Drinker’s Check-Up and consists of assessment, feedback, discussion, and goal setting. The purpose of the intervention is to help families identify and become motivated to make needed changes in any aspect of their family functioning. We conducted an open pilot trial of the Family Check-Up with 32 families. Our data suggest that the Family Check- Up (1) is sought out by the target audience, namely those with family problems; (2) is sought out by people with elevated depression symptoms or a history of treatment for depression or anxiety; (3) is feasible to conduct; (4) is acceptable to families; and (5) may be associated with changes in family functioning and depression symptoms over time. These results suggest that further research, particularly a randomized clinical trial, is warranted. Keywords: Family Check-Up; Family Functioning; Open Trial Fam Proc 45:223–236, 2006 M any families experiencing couple or family problems do not seek or receive ap- propriate treatment (Bowen & Richman, 1991; Rust et al., 2005; Snell-Johns, Mendez, & Smith, 2004). Several barriers may interfere with families initiating family treatment (Hirschfeld et al., 1997; Snell-Johns et al.). First, family members may not want to see a mental health professional, perhaps because of the associated stigma, past aversive experiences, or the perception that a professional will not be helpful. Family Process, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2006 r FPI, Inc. 223 This study was supported by Grant No. F32 MH64245 from the National Institute of Mental Health to Lisa Uebelacker. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Lisa A. Uebelacker, Butler Hos- pital, 345 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI 02906.Tel: (401) 455-6381, Fax: (401) 455-6235. E-mail: Lisa_Uebelacker@brown.edu wDepartment of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI. wwMiriam Hospital, Providence, RI.