Mental Research Institute (MRI) records, 1958-2016

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Summary

Creators:
Mental Research Institute and Mental Research Institute
Abstract:
The Mental Research Institute (MRI) is a small, independent, multi-disciplinary, non-profit corporation founded in Palo Alto, California, and is one of the pioneering institutions of brief and family therapy methodology. The material described in this finding aid consists of therapy sessions, notes, drafts, research proposals, clinical practice files, grant files, conference proceedings, publications, audiovisual material, born-digital material, and other material related to the operation of MRI.
Extent:
50 Linear Feet 99 boxes: (93 manuscript boxes, 6 flat boxes)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], The Mental Research Institute (MRI) records (M2530). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The Mental Research Institute (MRI) is multi-disciplinary non-profit corporation, and one of the leading institutions in the field of brief and family therapy. The original inspiration for MRI evolved from innovative work being done in the early 1950's by a small number of social scientists. Under the direction of American psychiatrist Don D. Jackson, these researchers became interested in human communication and its effects within relationship systems (specifically family relationships). Early MRI staff included Jay Haley, Jules Riskin, Virginia Satir, Paul Watzlawick, and John Weakland.

Throughout much of it's existence, MRI was devoted to training professionals in fields of cutting-edge psychotherapy methodologies and interactional/systemic studies, as well as conducting research projects, issuing publications, and hosting conferences both nationally and internationally. These activities are well reflected in the The Mental Research Institute (MRI) records materials, which include correspondence, drafts, clinical and research files, therapy sessions and notes, grant applications and proposals, conference proceedings, training modules, reports, meeting minutes, publication files, audiovisual material, and digital material.

Biographical / historical:

The Mental Research Institute (MRI) was founded by Don Jackson in 1959 in Palo Alto, California. It was originally a division on the Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation, but in 1963 became an independent, multi-disciplinary, non-profit corporation devoted to research and training. MRI has since become a prominent figure in the study and development of interactional/systemic studies, brief psychotherapy, and family therapy.

Acquisition information:
This collection given by the Mental Research Institute to Stanford University, Special Collections in April 2019.
Arrangement:

This collection has been organized into the following series based on format: Series 1. Research Files and Clinical Studies; Series 2. Workshops, Trainings, and Conferences/Symposia; Series 3. Grants and Fundraising; Series 4. Personnel; Series 5. Public Relations and Advertising; Series 6. Publications; Series 7. Audiovisual Material; and Series 8. Digital Material.

All of the original folder titles have been maintained. Any archivist-derived titles are indicated by brackets.

Physical location:
Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Series 1, as well as taped family therapy sessions are closed. The rest of the collection is open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Born-digital and audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], The Mental Research Institute (MRI) records (M2530). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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