Family Therapy: An Overview

by Herbert Goldenberg

Completely up-to-date, this engaging and practice-oriented text is your complete resource to help students master the many facets of family therapy. In this ninth edition, the authors provide practice-oriented content in a more concise format that will help students become empathic and effective family therapists. New material focuses on how students can practice systemic thinking and on how to develop core competencies in family therapy. There is also increased attention to LGBTQ families and alternative forms of family life, and to gender, culture, and ethnic considerations. Color-coded boxes highlight key aspects of family therapy, such as family diversity, evidence-based practice research, "Thinking Like a Clinician" student exercises, case studies, clinical notes, and therapeutic encounters. Examples illustrate family therapists from many professions, including social work, MFT, psychology, and counseling. Learning objectives focus students' attention on key concepts.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Education, Grad School

608 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 2003

Reviews

[Ashley]

After being almost entirely trained in the intrapersonal invididual counseling paradigm, wrapping my head around the systemic paradigm was challenging and eye-opening. The writing style of the book made it easy to read. I learned a lot from this book!

I'm keeping it in resources because there are a few chapters in the postmodern theory section that I wasn't required to read for class. I'll be back for them later though.

[The Badger]

Bastet bless you brave souls going into family therapy... I say this as a clinical therapist who needs my OWN therapist in order to communicate with members of my own family (and she'll only do it two of us at a time and only after she's removed the sharp objects from the office).

[Misty Cooke]

Good read as far as text books go..

[Kelsey Mech]

I don't know if it's fair to count textbooks but I'm going to count them anyway, because they are huge, and I read them, and UGH.

So this one talks about all the different family therapy theories. Which is totally interesting. It provides a good overview of theoretical approaches but lacks detail on the practical application. I left with more questions than answers. But... also glad it didn't answer everything because that would have been another 400 pages.

Also it's so American, so from a Canadian perspective that sucked. Oh and like SO Western. Seriously lacking in cultural considerations other than the odd token mention. Woot. Ugh. Glad that's over but I learned some things, so that's something.

[Wanda Boyer MC PhD CPT RCC]

Families are wonderfully varied and complex. Family Therapy; An overview by Goldenberg, Stanton, and Goldenberg (2017) recognize this and thoughtfully provide the reader with a family relationship framework with which to ethically and respectfully believe in families and to see families as resilient, diverse, strong, and synergistic. This hope-filled framework provides a solid foundation for their discussion of varied schools of family therapy and evidenced-based practices. I would recommend this text as a way to learn more about family therapy and as a way of refreshing our appreciation and belief in families.

[Amanda]

This was a good introductory book to the various types of family therapy. A handy resource book to keep around.

[Kari Schooley]

3.5 Good overview of family therapy seen through different theories.

[Kirstie]

May be for a class but so far I would choose to read this. Very interesting.

[Goodnews]

textbook

[Wendy]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a great intro into the different various family therapy theories and has a good comparison chart at the end.

[Sandy Tran]

just ehh. it's informational.

[Tiffany]

This book was an excellent and extremely extensive explanation of all the history, theories and aspects of Family Therapy. I am glad to add this book to my library for future reference.

[Henry]

This is my textbook for my Intro to Marriage and Family Counseling course. So far, I find the read to be enjoyable and informative.

[Bill Larson]

A textbook. Need I say more?

[Jack Goldenberg]

Interesting read