Couples and Family Therapy in Clinical Practice

This updated classic textbook on couples and family therapy is written through a psychiatric and psychosocial lens. It delineates clinical practice, research, and training issues, in part through case examples. The chapters present family therapy and family–oriented interventions with an emerging evidence base in an easy–to–read and digestible manner. Organized into six sections, this title covers:  The history of the field and the general concepts of family function and dysfunction How to do family evaluation, formulate a broad diagnostic plan, delineate goals and plan treatment Provides indications, contraindications and evidence–based results Discusses ethical quandaries, professionalism, and training issues Techniques that can be utilized in the therapeutic encounter to foster change and growth in both patients and their families. The text addresses the need for the modern day clinician to have a solid foundation in cultural competency and to be able to work with patients who come from a range of cultural, ethnic, sexual, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This classic teaching textbook is well suited for mental health clinicians of all levels who work with families.