Ligand field theory is a modified crystal field theory that assigns certain parameters as variables rather than taking them as equal to the values found for free ions, thereby taking into account the potential covalent character of the metal-ligand bond.
Source:
PAC, 1997, 69, 1251. 'Glossary of terms used in bioinorganic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1997)' on page 1283 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199769061251)