The Practice of Family Therapy

Now in its sixth edition, The Practice of Family Therapy comes at a time when traditional approaches to psychotherapy have given way to multidimensional strategies that best serve the needs of diverse groups who are grappling with the many challenges unique to family therapy practice. With expanded coverage of different models, along with new developments in evidence-based and postmodern practices, this integrative textbook bridges the gap between science and systemic/relational approaches, as it guides the reader through each stage of family therapy.

Part I lays the groundwork by introducing the first-, second-, and third-generation models of family therapy, teaching the reader to integrate different elements from these models into a systemic structure of practice. Part II explores the practical application of these models, including scripts for specific interventions and newly updated clinical examples that highlight how to effectively work with diverse client populations of today. Students will learn how to make connections between individual symptoms and cutting-edge family practices to respond successfully to cases involving substance abuse, trauma, grief, depression, suicide risk, violence, LGBTQIA+ families, and severely mentally ill clients and their families. This newly updated and streamlined edition includes fresh information on working with LGBTQIA+ families and on the family as a resource for suicidal members, and it also includes new discussion of models, such as emotion-focused couple therapy and internal family systems. This text also encourages students to think more broadly about community connections as important resources for clients, such as chosen families and cultural identities that affect one?s sense of belonging in relationships.

With study guides for each model and a glossary to review main concepts, this text is a comprehensive and accessible guide for students and practitioners. Aligned with the knowledge and content statements of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB), this textbook will be key reading for graduate students who are preparing for the national licensing exam in marriage and family therapy.

"Once again, The Practice of Family Therapy: Key Elements Across Models provides a high benchmark for excellence in a text that offers students a strong foundation in explaining MFT models, practical case examples, and clear examples of how to integrate theory and practice. The writing is clear and free from jargon in an engaging tone that beginning students enjoy. This text gives a cohesive overview of what systemic therapists encounter in the real world. I encourage all students to keep this text on their bookshelf for future reference when they begin their clinical practice."
Suzanne Coyle, Ph.D., LMFT, is a professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy and director of the MAMFT Program at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN

"Translating family systems conceptualization into easily digestible assessment, clinical skills, and treatment plans.  This book will be of great help for graduate students getting started in the field and for those of us who have been through a few generations of family systems movement.  I will be using this book to get us all out of our heads and into our bodies systemically as therapists, supervisors, and leaders in the field.  Thankful for this thoughtful book and authors for a fresh way of bringing our systemic theories to life with helpful clinical examples."
David J Van Dyke, Ph.D., LMFT, is a professor of Marriage & Family Therapy and MFT Program Director at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL