Inside Family Therapy: A Case Study in Family Healing

by Michael P. Nichols

Often recounted in a clinical manner from a therapist's perspective, the story of family therapy is many times viewed in an academic, theoretical context. Such analyses, while scholarly, tend to lack the real stories, the heart and soul of the counseling experience for those in it. Now, however, such a story is available. Following one family through their years of therapy, this book delves into the hearts and minds of the characters. So by the story's end, readers will come to view the family members not so much as characters in a therapist's drama, but rather as heroes of their own stories. And in turn, the readers will then be able to reflect on their own experiences. In this book, Mike Nichols, a family therapist, offers his narrative "diary" as he develops and enters into the process of family therapy with one family. In addition to providing his own personal account of the therapy process as the counselor, he includes the rich, detailed study of a family as they progress through life's stages from their initial courtship to the departure of their children from home. Social workers, therapists or others interested in the topic.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

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

Reviews

[Matthew Jandernoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really I would give this book a 3.5 star rating, but it is by far a worthwhile book to read. It is like a textbook wedged into a case study, very easy to read, and very insightful. As far as textbooks go, 10/10 for how easy to read it is. As for how informational, 6.5/10. More technical information would be helpful but all in all a great book. A couple pages are not so great, but that’s not a biggie to me.

[faith adams-michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for school. creative attempt to use storytelling to illustrate tenets of family therapy. some of it is a little lame, a little outdated, a little not feminist enough, but overall it did integrate the concepts pretty well. again, there should be a section on how cases of abuse alter much of the advice/strategies used in the book- some of this could be dangerous used in cases of abuse.

[Ashley Van Vonderen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part systemic structural theory, part developmental family case study. The author guides you through the family lifespan from love-at-first-sight to nest launching with the commentary of a therapist and the illustrative prose of a novelist. A unique learning experience

[Lewis Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A handy-dandy explanation of dynamics that affect and afflict couples and families through the life-cycle to help you recognize common situations and act in more productive ways.

[Ahri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for a SW class. I would have preferred an actual textbook.

[Jer El · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family therapist takes you along his own journey of working with a family. His approach, the almost diary like format, and the benefit of his earned knowledge and insight make a unique opportunity as a reader to be taken into the living story of a family.

I am partway through this, and so far so good. It is a unique perspective to have in regards to psychology works, and is an easily accessible format for seeing, comprehending, and witnessing the multi-layer and complex workings of family dynamics.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a long case study, interspersed with theory and shorter case studies about Family Systems. So far, I love it!

[Zoe Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think if you read an entire textbook it should count in the books you read for the year. :)

[Scott Carter]

A fairly good introduction to family systems.

[Gungho · Rating 4 out of 5]

great case study for aspiring therapists