The Practical Practice Of Marriage And Family Therapy

It is a truism among therapists in most mental health disciplines that the most important aspects of clinical practice are learned only after one has left graduate school and entered “the real world.” While many of the basics could be covered in graduate school, supervisors of new therapists often feel that the fundamentals are only addressed in detail after a therapist has been employed. In response to this predicament, Odell and Campbell offer The Practical Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy: Things My Training Supervisor Never Told Me as a useful daily guide for graduate students and beginning marriage and family therapists that will ease the transition from learner to practicing professional in the clinical domain. Written in a refreshing and unpretentious style, much the way a caring seasoned professional would mentor a novice practitioner, The Practical Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy covers the major areas that typical graduate programs don’t have time to address, including how to: integrate theoretical training with pragmatic clinical practice to maximize therapeutic effectiveness face the practical problems involving the financial elements of clinical work become a thoroughly credentialed professional develop an approach to becoming specialized uncover the motivation for being a professional marriage and family therapist increase one’s ability to maintain high-level practice over a lifetime of work by developing coping strategies and methods of safeguarding one’s own mental health Addressing the unique approach of their book, Odell and Campbell explain, “Whereas most texts are handbooks on the actual theories and techniques used with couples and families, this book is designed to be a guide to the beginning professional as s/he leaves the graduate training environment and enters the mental health field as it exists in contemporary America. Our hope is that this book would be one of those chosen by the novice practicing professional if s/he could only take two or three with them into the field, as it contains material that is most useful for everyday work in clinical settings.”

It is a truism among therapists in most mental health disciplines that the most important aspects of clinical practice are learned only after one has left graduate school and entered “the real world.” While many of the basics could be covered in graduate school, supervisors of new therapists often feel that the fundamentals are only addressed in detail after a therapist has been employed. In response to this predicament, Odell and Campbell offer The Practical Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy: Things My Training Supervisor Never Told Me as a useful daily guide for graduate students and beginning marriage and family therapists that will ease the transition from learner to practicing professional in the clinical domain. Written in a refreshing and unpretentious style, much the way a caring seasoned professional would mentor a novice practitioner, The Practical Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy covers the major areas that typical graduate programs don’t have time to address, including how to: integrate theoretical training with pragmatic clinical practice to maximize therapeutic effectiveness face the practical problems involving the financial elements of clinical work become a thoroughly credentialed professional develop an approach to becoming specialized uncover the motivation for being a professional marriage and family therapist increase one’s ability to maintain high-level practice over a lifetime of work by developing coping strategies and methods of safeguarding one’s own mental health Addressing the unique approach of their book, Odell and Campbell explain, “Whereas most texts are handbooks on the actual theories and techniques used with couples and families, this book is designed to be a guide to the beginning professional as s/he leaves the graduate training environment and enters the mental health field as it exists in contemporary America. Our hope is that this book would be one of those chosen by the novice practicing professional if s/he could only take two or three with them into the field, as it contains material that is most useful for everyday work in clinical settings.”

This text provides students of family therapy with a unique opportunity to understand and compare the inner workings of 14 traditional and non-traditional family therapy models. The book demonstrates, through innovative “guiding templates,” how the different therapeutic models are applied in an actual family therapy situation. The second edition features a new chapter on neuroscience, new interviews with master therapists on topics such as LGBT families, EMDR and research, and coverage of ethical issues concerning electronic safety and telephonic therapy. Overviews of every model include history, views of change, views of the family, and the role of the therapist. Chapters on every model also provide responses to one, realistic case study with commentary and analysis by master therapists to illustrate how each one addresses the same scenario. Interviews with master therapists illustrate how each mode of therapy actually “works” and how therapists “do it.” Print version of the book includes free, searchable, digital access to the entire contents! New to the Second Edition: Examines neuroscience and its role in family therapy New chapter on solution focused narrative therapy with families Includes enhanced coverage of self-care and mindfulness for the therapist Contains educator resources including instructor’s manual, PowerPoint slides, and a test bank Updated references provide current developments in the field of marriage and family therapy Provides insight on submitting research articles for publication through an interview with a current journal editor Reports on current, revised ethical guidelines from the AAMFT Key Features: Provides a guiding template for each family therapy model from assessment through termination Describes a practice-oriented approach to family therapy Uses a single case study throughout the book where different approaches to therapy are applied by master therapists Introduces the theory, history, theoretical assumptions, techniques, and components of each model Includes numerous interviews, case study commentary, and analyses by master therapists

This text provides students of family therapy with a unique opportunity to understand and compare the inner workings of 14 traditional and non-traditional family therapy models. The book demonstrates, through innovative “guiding templates,” how the different therapeutic models are applied in an actual family therapy situation. The second edition features a new chapter on neuroscience, new interviews with master therapists on topics such as LGBT families, EMDR and research, and coverage of ethical issues concerning electronic safety and telephonic therapy. Overviews of every model include history, views of change, views of the family, and the role of the therapist. Chapters on every model also provide responses to one, realistic case study with commentary and analysis by master therapists to illustrate how each one addresses the same scenario. Interviews with master therapists illustrate how each mode of therapy actually “works” and how therapists “do it.” Print version of the book includes free, searchable, digital access to the entire contents! New to the Second Edition: Examines neuroscience and its role in family therapy New chapter on solution focused narrative therapy with families Includes enhanced coverage of self-care and mindfulness for the therapist Contains educator resources including instructor’s manual, PowerPoint slides, and a test bank Updated references provide current developments in the field of marriage and family therapy Provides insight on submitting research articles for publication through an interview with a current journal editor Reports on current, revised ethical guidelines from the AAMFT Key Features: Provides a guiding template for each family therapy model from assessment through termination Describes a practice-oriented approach to family therapy Uses a single case study throughout the book where different approaches to therapy are applied by master therapists Introduces the theory, history, theoretical assumptions, techniques, and components of each model Includes numerous interviews, case study commentary, and analyses by master therapists

This practical textbook helps students in marriage and family programmes, as well as practicing marriage and family therapists, understand and apply a variety of the most popular family therapy models.

Now in its second edition, this text introduces readers to the rich history and practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, with 32 professionals from across the US presenting their knowledge in their areas of expertise. This blend of approaches and styles gives this text a unique voice and makes it a comprehensive resource for graduate students taking their first course in Marriage and Family Therapy. The book is divided into three sections: Part 1 focuses on the components on which 21st century family therapy is based and summarizes the most recent changes made to not only therapeutic interventions, but to the very concept of “family.” Part 2 presents an overview of the 7 major theoretical models of the field: structural, strategic, Milan, social constructionist, experiential, transgenerational, and cognitive-behavioral family therapy. Each chapter in this section • Focuses on the founder of the theory, its theoretical tenants, and its key techniques • Shows how the model focuses on diversity • Presents the research that supports the approach Part 3 addresses specific treatment areas that are common to marriage and family therapists, such as sex therapy, pre-marital therapy, research, and ethics and legal issues. As an introduction to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, this volume stands above the rest. Not only will readers gain an understanding of the rich history of the field and its techniques, but they will also see a complete picture of the context in which families are embedded, such as gender, culture, spirituality, and sexual orientation. This knowledge is the key to understanding what differentiates Marriage and Family Therapy from individual psychotherapy. Glossaries, case studies, tables, figures, and appendices appear generously throughout the text to present this information and give students a thorough overview to prepare them for their professional lives.

A comprehensive and practical approach to the world of marriage, couples, and family counseling Esteemed academics David Capuzzi and Mark D. Stauffer present the theory, research, and real-life practice of today's counselors and therapists in family therapy settings. Aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), this useful text covers foundational teaching important to readers, but also critical modern topics not included in other texts, such as sexuality, trauma, divorce, domestic violence, and addictions, filial play therapy, and using community genograms to position culture and context in family therapy. With a unique focus on practical applications, the book discusses the major family therapy theories, and provides graduate students and post-graduate learners in counseling, mental health, and behavioral health fields the skills and techniques they need to help couples and families as part of their work in a variety of helping environments. Each chapter contains case studies and anecdotes that help readers think critically about the issues they are likely to deal with as clinicians. Written by recognized and respected contributors, this book helps readers see the connection between what they know and what happens in couples and family counseling sessions. Readers will: Learn the knowledge and skills essential to family therapy Understand the history, concepts, and techniques associated with major theories Examine the key issues specific to couples work, with relevant intervention Explore solutions to the complexities generated by special issues Discusses the modern realities of family, diversity and culture, and systemic contexts Family and couples counseling presents a complex interplay of various factors inherent to each individual, the dynamic interplay between each person's issues, and the outside influences that shape behavior. Foundations of Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling helps readers sort out the complexity and guide clients toward lasting resolution.

A complete and accessible resource for working with couples and families Becoming a Family Counselor sets a new standard for family therapy texts. Working from a broad historical orientation, it focuses on the common themes that reappear across various theoretical approaches and connects family practice with individual approaches. Crossing boundaries of generation, gender, race, and culture, this useful introduction presents current thinking related to today's practice issues. The text begins with an overview of couple and family counseling, emphasizing the diversity and unity in the field. The development of the field is examined, from its roots in the nineteenth century through its identity crisis in the 1980s. Subsequent chapters lay out an integrated approach to contemporary family research, theory, and therapy; core chapters focus on understanding the contributions of behavioral, organizational, narrative, emotional, and spiritual perspectives. The last section of the book offers practical chapters on conducting family therapy in organizational contexts that often define the client in individual terms. Readers are encouraged to balance a change orientation with a respect for continuity and tradition. Complete with illuminating case studies, self-evaluation exercises, suggestions for independent study, and current ethics codes, Becoming a Family Counselor is a dynamic resource suitable for both students and practicing mental health professionals.