Essentials of Family Therapy

by Michael P. Nichols, Richard C. Schwartz

Illustrates family therapy techniques.    With its clinical focus and extremely practical presentation, The Essentials of Family Therapy, 6/e  examines the rich history, classic schools, and latest developments in family therapy. The sixth edition is edited to focus more on the contemporary clinical practice and case studies illustrating family therapy techniques. Written by a leading family therapist, descriptions of the various models are based on actual experience.   Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to:

Genres: Psychology, Social Work, Textbooks, Counselling, Nonfiction, Academic, Family

377 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Kony]

Assigned for school. Fairly well written, but reflects very dated and problematic assumptions about race, culture, gender roles, and gender identity.

[Miranda]

This book was assigned as the required textbook for my Master of Social Work course, "Family-Centered Practice".

Overall, it provided an in-depth, easy-to-understand overview of family therapy methods. However, it was notably dated at parts and incorporated several untrue stereotypes about marginalized populations.

[Keri]

Summer 2026 Family Therapy textbook

[Zachary Ransom]

Tulane University, MSW, Social Work Practice With Individuals, Families, & Groups

[Ariana]

This is an excellent guide to family therapy therapeutic approaches, techniques, and basic history about the field. The language that Nichols uses is easy to understand, and the case studies and examples throughout the book make application of techniques clear. It's definitely a reference book to hold on to for the future.

[Ann]

Very very wordy on the history, didn't seem all important to understand the development of the theories and the strategies for using them. Some great ideas and examples of methods sprinkled in though.

[Wade Walker]

As far as textbooks and required college reading go, this book was informative and easy to understand. It had a nice flow, and I learned a lot about marriage and family therapy models and theories that I feel will help me in the future as a therapist.

[Aimee]

Great read for theories. Gives a good overview. Deserves 3 stars but thats it.

Will keep for career.

[Laurelina]

Read it and weep!
No, um, seriously, it's a good book to learn about family therapy theories and theorists. You can even find that some of the major concepts of the theories are truly used...

[Rod White]

Rather abbreviated, but helpful summary of major family therapy approaches.

[Kelli Smith]

I actually have the 5th edition, but many of my friends have this edition. Everyone loves it. We use it all the time to reference the basic tenets of a theory. It is definitely worth purchasing.

[culley]

This book is a historical overview of family therapy techniques and modalities.

[Zoe Barnard]

Text finished AND exam taken

[Hope McCormick]

Very easy to understand. Case studies were quite helpful.