Couples and Family Therapy in Clinical Practice

* Fifth edition of a classic text that views couples and family therapy through a psychiatric lens* Written by clinicians with a biopsychosocial perspective on illness and family dysfunction* Draws on case studies to present family-oriented interventions in an accessible manner* Explores underlying principles along with a wide range of practical therapeutic techniques* Culturally inclusive, enabling readers to work with patients from diverse backgrounds

Forewords xixEllen M. Berman MD, Lloyd I. Sederer MDPreface xxviiAcknowledgments xxxiA Guide for Using the Text xxxiiiList of Tables xxxviiList of Figures xxxixSection I Family Therapy in Context1 The Field of Couples and Family Therapy: Development and Definition 52 Family Life in Historical and Sociological Perspective 23Section II Functional and Dysfunctional Families3 Understanding the Functional Family 414 Understanding the Functional Family in a Variety of Family Forms 595 Problems and Dysfunction from an Integrated Family Systems Perspective 75Section III Family Evaluation6 The Process of Evaluation 957 The Content of Evaluation 1078 Formulating an Understanding of the Family Problem Areas 117Section IV Family Treatment9 Major Family Therapy Schools and Their Treatment Strategies 13710 Goals 14711 Family Treatment: Integrated Strategies and Techniques 15712 The Course of Family Treatment 17513 Promoting Change in Family Treatment: Issues of Alliance and Resistance 18914 Family Therapy: General Considerations203Section V Couples Therapy15 Dysfunctional Couples and Couples Therapy 22116 Sex Couples and Sex Therapy 23517 Couples and Families Breaking Apart: Separation and Divorce 249Section VI Family Treatment When One Member Has a Psychiatric Disorder or Other Special Problem18 Family Treatment in the Context of Individual Psychiatric Disorders 26719 Family Treatment in the Context of Other Special Problems--Violence to Self and Others 30120 The Family and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Psychiatric Illness 32121 Working with Families in theSection VII Results of and Guidelines for Recommending Family Therapy23 Controversies Relative Contraindications and the Use and Misuse of Couples and Family Therapy 37124 Results: The Outcomes of Couples and Family Therapy 381Section VIII Ethical Professional and Training Issues25 Ethical and Professional Issues in Couples and Family Therapy 405Suggested Reading 419References 419Index 421