Assessing Families and Couples

Description

A step-by-step guide to assessing couples and families, Assessing Families and Couples, offers a clear delineation of the process of family therapy through richly illustrated case material; featuring clients from a diversity of backgrounds.

Appealing to both new and experienced therapists, Assessing Families and Couples, portrays a clear picture of what occurs in a two-session model when conducting a family therapy assessment. In the absence of a videotape to depict the process of therapy, readers can still visualize the details of the therapeutic journey in a step-by-step manner. Students and instructors alike, will find this book an invaluable tool for the learning and teaching of family therapy assessment.  

The text begins with a brief historical review of family therapy and continues with a detailed explanation of the authors’ four-step assessment model. The assessment model is illustrated by a series of thoroughly detailed case studies, featuring African-American, European, Latin-American, Spanish, Irish, and Chinese families.

• Provides a step-by-step model for assessment, outlining for students the process of transition from a family’s presenting complaint to a systemic view of the problem (Ch. 1).
• Presents case studies of families from a wide variety of ethnic groups, highlighting how family dynamics express themselves in a diversity of cultures (Chs. 2-11).
• Features additional case studies, centered on the most frequently encountered clinical problems: parental conflict, marital conflict, anorexia nervosa, teenage rebellion, agitated depression, germ phobia, psychosomatic symptoms, drug addiction, single-parents, teenage parents (Chs. 2-11).

Overview

A step-by-step guide to assessing couples and families, this text offers a clear delineation of the process of family therapy through richly illustrated case material, featuring clients from a diversity of backgrounds.

Appealing to both new and experienced therapists, Assessing Families and Couples portrays a clear picture of what occurs in a two-session model in conducting a family therapy assessment. The text begins with a brief historical review of family therapy and continues with a detailed explanation of the authors’ four-step assessment model. The assessment model is illustrated by a series of thoroughly detailed case studies, featuring African-American, European, Latin-American, Spanish, Irish, and Chinese families. Students and instructors alike will find this book an invaluable tool for the learning and teaching of family therapy assessment.  

What Reviewers are Saying

“Given the reputation and standing of these authors in the history of family therapy, I will definitely take a look at this new book. First, to have the opportunity to be in essence “in the room” with Dr. Minuchin and be privy to each and every interaction is invaluable!   The demonstration of various and significant family therapy concepts as the sessions unfold are such a powerful learning opportunity. This is true for all of the cases. 

“The Four Step model for assessing families and couples is an especially significant contribution for a teaching and learning tool in working with students who may be new to family social work practice. I am especially drawn to the richness the cases provide for making the theory and actual practice skills come alive.”  

                                              –Chrystal Barranti, California State University, Sacramento

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PREFACE.

1. Introduction: A Four-Step Model for Assessing Couples and Families.

I. TROUBLED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.

2. The Parentified Child.

3. Conflictual Couple/Triangulated Children.

II. STEP-FAMILIES.

4. The Teenager Who Was a Liar.

5. Three Dyads Are Less Than a Whole Family.

III. COMPLEMENTARY COUPLES.

6. .  Agitated Depression in an Adult Woman.

7.  The Woman Whose Hands Were Always Dirty.

IV. PSYCHOSOMATIC FAMILIES.

8.  Oedipus with Stomach Cramps.

9.  A Young Chinese Man with Anorexia Nervosa.

V. THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES

10. Three-Generations of Women.

11.  Residential Treatment of Drug Addiction and the Family.     

EPILOGUE.

A step-by-step guide to assessing couples and families, this text offers a clear delineation of the process of family therapy through richly illustrated case material, featuring clients from a diversity of backgrounds

Appealing to both experienced and novel therapists, Assessing Families and Couples portrays a clear picture of what occurs in a two-session model in conducting a family therapy assessment. In the absence of a videotape to depict the process of therapy, readers can still visualize the details of the therapeutic journey in a step-by-step manner. Students and instructors, alike, will find this book an invaluable tool for the learning and teaching of family therapy assessment.  

The text begins with a brief historical review of family therapy today and continues with a detailed explanation of the authors’ four-step assessment model. The assessment model is illustrated by a series of thoroughly detailed case studies, featuring African-American, European, Latin-American, Spanish, Irish, and Chinese families.