Manualisation, although to some extent controversial, is an essential requirement for outcome research in family therapy. No manuals are available for therapy of adoptive families. This paper presents the development of a manual of a therapy model with adoptive families, based on the integration of a systems approach and attachment theory. We describe the background and process of development of the manual conducted in collaboration by clinicians and a research team. Twenty-nine core elements of the model were identified and operationally defined by a focus group of clinicians. All elements except one showed good interrater reliability. The manual provides a tool to address the treatment of adopted families. Since the support to adoptive parents using a family therapy approach remains an under-researched area, a manual available to clinicians and researchers will promote outcome studies in this area and training of therapists working with adoptive families.

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