Family Therapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal

Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books

by Mark A. Yarhouse, James N. Sells

Christian therapists doing family therapy have never had a resource to help them navigate the various family therapy theories from a Christian perspective--until now. In this book Mark A. Yarhouse and James N. Sells survey the major approaches to family therapy and treat, within a Christian framework, significant psychotherapeutic issues. The wide array of issues covered includes Calling for an integrated approach of "responsible eclecticism," they conclude with a vision for Christian family therapy. A landmark work providing critical Christian engagement with existing models of family therapy, this volume was written for those studying counseling, social work, psychology or family therapy. Family Therapies will also serve as an indispensable resource for those in the mental health professions, including counselors, psychologists, family therapists, social workers and pastors.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Christian Non Fiction

511 pages, Hardcover

First published November 20, 2008

About the author

Mark A. Yarhouse is a professor of psychology and the director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity at Regent University. He is also part of a group practice in the Virginia Beach area, providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling. Dr. Yarhouse received his PsyD from Wheaton College and has worked collaboratively on a number of books. He and his family live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Reviews

[Kendall Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS. CLASS. SUCKED. And I never say that! Each week had 200-300 pages of reading along with an average of 6 assignments weekly (3-4 of which were essays). The class felt like it had three simultaneous tracks of evaluating secular theories, creating biblical counseling materials, and deepening our knowledge in God's design for marriage, divorce, family, child rearing, and all the other jazz. But they NEVER COINCIDED. It felt like I was taking three classes at one time. I am not one to hardly ever complain about classes but this one took soooooooooooo much out of me. Rant over. Thank you.

[Samuel Baney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of different theoretical approaches to family therapy, with each theory being looked at through the lens of a Christian worldview. Highly recommended for Christian therapists!

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a helpful resource for understanding certain secular theories of families, the Christian appraisal of each lacked much truly biblical depth. Their arguments were very integrationist, finding elements to implement into Christian counseling. I wish they could have given stronger critiques from Scripture against these secular ideologies.

[Judson Marvel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared more toward professional therapists, there were still a number of nuggets of wisdom for pastors.

[Caroline Hardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

i am usually pretty ambivalent toward textbooks but I genuinely disliked this one! xoxo wouldn't recommend!