Review of Family therapy concepts and methods.

Reviews the book, Family therapy concepts and methods by Michael P. Nichols (1984). The wealth of information presented in this book about the field of psychotherapy is one of its major strengths. Eight separate schools of therapy are described, including their historic roots. Substantial reading lists are included with each chapter. The presentations include a developmental perspective and normal functioning by which the contrast of disordered behavior may be highlighted. Major figures, main concepts, and methods are presented in a well-written, easy-to-follow format. This text lends itself most usefully to the integration of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy as it contributes to an understanding of systems practice. The presentation of psychoanalytic developmental theory is the best and most useful I have seen. It is well suited to teaching clinicians. The total impression is that the book offers a presentation of psychotherapy as integrated into systemic practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Integrating individual and family therapy.

Reviews the book, Integrating individual and family therapy by Larry Feldman (see record 1992-97185-000). In this book, Larry Feldman takes the position that integration of individual and family therapy concepts and treatment is not only possible but is therapeutically preferable and more effective than individual or family therapy alone. The author maintains the importance of understanding both the intrapsychic and interpersonal variables that stimulate and reinforce the problems of the individual client. This book makes an important contribution in an area in which knowledge, experience, research and case studies are sparse but needed. His case studies were too brief to provide the detailed knowledge a clinician needs in order to learn his model. Although he presents no real data or rates of success or failure of the integration of these approaches, he has made a good beginning in outlining an important treatment approach and raising the questions needed to further develop such a model. Feldman's ideas are stimulating and will add information to the debate about the separation or the integration of individual and family therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A family like yours: Breaking the patterns of drug abuse.

Reviews the book, A family like yours: Breaking the patterns of drug abuse by James L. Sorensen and Guillermo Bernal (1987). A family like yours is a self-help guide aimed at families with a drug-abusing member. It attempts to fill a gap in the self-help literature on substance abuse and families. The problem readers may encounter is one of integrating without outside help the overwhelming amount of material presented. The chapters cover many basic concepts in family systems and life cycle theory without sufficient space devoted to particular concepts or points. Points are made with little elaboration, and the reader may not be able to integrate much of the material. However, for the family that is involved in treatment, the book may prove helpful in promoting insights into the functioning of the family and may serve as a valuable adjunct to treatment by provoking questions and insights that can move a family toward change. The authors' emphasis on providing the family support and optimism tempered by realistic limits may also serve to make this book a useful adjunct to treatment. This book serves as a valuable addition to the self-help literature on drug abuse in families and partially fills a gap currently existing in that marketplace. It covers a great deal of material that is not easily available to the lay reader at this time. This book is more likely to be insight provoking, practical, and motivating, however, to the drug abusing family that is in treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Families and alcoholism: Developments in practice, research, and theory.

Reviews the books, Alcoholism treatment: An integrative family and individual approach by D. I. Davis (see record 1988-97811-000); Substance abuse and family therapy by E. Kaufman (1985); and The alcoholic family by P. Steinglass, L. A. Bennett, S. J. Wolin, and D. Reiss (see record 1987-98538-000). The book by Davis and Kaufman primarily address marital and family therapy (MFT) methods. The Steinglass et al. book presents a long-term, systematic program of theory development and research aimed at understanding the family system dynamics of alcoholic families. Davis provides excellent chapters on strategies for use in identifying and confronting alcohol problems and in getting a commitment from the family to work toward elimination of the problem drinking. The Davis book is an excellent resource; however, family and other therapists reading this book will need other resources for dealing with severe alcoholics, for moving rapidly to attain abstinence, and for dealing with long-term recovery. Kaufman's book is an excellent resource for family therapists wanting to learn more about dealing with alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse and for substance abuse therapists to learn about family therapy. The alcoholic family is an excellent book that will become a classic on this topic. We would recommend it for the serious clinician who wants a theoretical framework to guide decisions about therapeutic approaches with alcoholic families. We recommend all three books quite highly to practicing clinicians. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Family-of-origin therapy: An intergenerational approach.

Reviews the book, Family-of-origin therapy: An intergenerational approach by James L. Framo (see record 1992-97188-000). This book is a summation of the author's intergenerational approach to psychotherapy which has evolved in his 35 years of clinical practice. For his theoretical base he draws on Fairbairn's object relations theory, combined with Dicks' application of this theory to marital relationships. Framo further integrates this approach with the basic precepts of Bowen's multigenerational theory, particularly Bowen's emphasis on bypassing transferential issues by encouraging patients to connect with members of their family-of-origin. The innovative and unique aspect of Framo's psychotherapeutic approach is his use of one or two family-of-origin sessions. In the course of psychotherapy with adult clients, whether seen individually, as a couple, or in a couples group, he encourages them to bring in the members of their family-of-origin for two, two-hour sessions. The purpose is for the patient to develop the capacity and the courage to talk directly to all familial significant others about unresolved issues between them, rather than spending months or years talking to their therapist about these issues, or in analyzing the patient's transferential projections onto the therapist. Framo's thesis is that the family-of-origin consultation can have great power in producing positive change and flexibility in the individual and in the marital and family systems. He states that the intergenerational encounter can "create an opportunity for forgiveness for alleged wrongs, for mutual misunderstandings, compromise, acceptance and resolution." In this book the author clearly delineates his conceptual basis as well as providing explicit guidelines regarding the conduct of the family-of-origin sessions. The book is an important addition to the proliferating family therapy literature and a significant step toward integrating object relations and family systems theories and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Couples psychotherapy: A psychodynamic model.

Psychoanalytic assumptions and goals need not be viewed or approached from a purely individual analytic perspective. Families and especially marriages offer a unique opportunity for systems-oriented intervention to add therapeutic depth by addressing psychodynamic interactions in vivo. Doing so requires integration in therapy, as well as in theory, of the manner in which individual psychodynamics manifest in primary interpersonal systems. A model is presented which aims at translating and instilling a useful degree of analytic insight in members of marital or family systems. Insight into transferential distortions and behavior is facilitated by introducing the metaphor of unconscious "hopes" and "expectations" in the interactive contexts of conjoint and individual sessions. It is suggested that such an expansion of systems-oriented approaches is a crucial step in adding depth and durability to change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Women in families: A framework for family therapy.

Reviews the book, Women in families: A framework for family therapy edited by Monica McGoldrick, Carol M. Anderson, and Froma Walsh (1989). The editors state that this book grew out of the need of women doing family therapy to network and to develop visible women mentors and role models not overshadowed by the men in their lives. This book does try to cover too much ground in a single edited volume; the first two sections, by themselves, focused new themes in the theory and practice of family therapy. However, this is a new contribution to the field, a book that tells us how to bring gender into teaching and practice, and which ideas should be included. This book is recommended for practicing family therapists and students in family therapy training programs. It should be required reading for any professional planning to do family therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Transgenerational family therapies.

Reviews the book, Transgenerational family therapies by Laura Giat Roberto (see record 1992-98006-000). This book presents a "kinder, gentler" perspective to understanding families. It is divided into two basic sections: theoretical overviews of Bowen, Whitaker, Boszormenyi-Nagy, and object relations family models; later, Roberto presents clinical examples and guidance for the use of a transgenerational approach. According to the reviewer, Roberto has given a well-crafted overview of dominant perspectives which would be of benefit to any psychotherapist, including individual and family therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Family therapy with ethnic minorities.

Reviews the book, Family therapy with ethnic minorities by Man Keung Ho (see record 1987-98516-000). This book offers a coherent aggregation of theories for working with ethnic minority families in the United States. Its author focuses on an ecological family systemic approach, with emphasis on sociocultural and communication theories. Within this conceptual framework, he discusses six factors that distinguish ethnic minorities from the mainstream middle-class white American families and that bear implications for their treatment. Ho identifies them as: 1) ethnic minority reality, 2) impact of external system on minority cultures, 3) biculturalism, 4) ethnic differences in minority status, 5) ethnicity and language, and 6) ethnicity and social class. The book's strengths rest on the identification of the major ethnocultural issues affecting the treatment of ethnic minority families. Conversely, its weaknesses lie on the clinical illustrations of these issues. Although Ho states that he also utilizes psychodynamic and interpersonal perspectives, clinically he emphasizes sociocultural issues, neglecting other indexes, such as intrapsychic, interpersonal, and developmental variables. The major contribution of Family therapy with ethnic minorities lies in its efforts toward the development of a conceptualization of a family therapy model for working with ethnic minorities. Ho reviews existing theoretical paradigms and critically examines their applicability to ethnic minorities. He enriches the field by aiding in the development of a therapeutic structure that allows cultural diversity. Within this context, the book represents priority reading for the beginning family therapist working with ethnic minority individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Finishing well: Aging and reparation in the intergenerational family.

Reviews the book, Finishing well: Aging and reparation in the intergenerational family by Terry D. Hargrave and William T. Anderson (see record 1992-98532-000). The purpose of this book is to help older people and their families complete life in a more satisfactory way through contextual family therapy. The essence of the contextual approach is to resolve family relationships by building trust and commitment in the family through redressing the imbalance of entitlements and obligations within the family. In this review, the dynamics of family relationships are described and the stages of family therapy as detailed in the book are summarized. In the book, the authors focus on the importance of forgiveness and describe the technique by which they promote forgiveness between family members. According to the reviewer, the book is well written because the therapeutic techniques are clearly illustrated with examples from therapy cases. This book can be enthusiastically recommended to all therapists engaged in therapy with older people, and to those doing family therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Control Mastery Theory and family therapy.

Control Mastery is a psychodynamically based and empirically supported theory that has, to date, mostly been used in conducting psychotherapy with individuals and couples. This article describes the principal constructs of the theory and the rationale and procedures for its application to working with children and adolescents in family therapy. Control Mastery focuses on the development of growth-inhibiting pathogenic beliefs, which are based on traumatic interactions with early caregivers and subsequently generalized to the world beyond the family and into adulthood. The individual and family are assumed to be highly motivated to overcome these troubling beliefs in therapy and work to do so primarily through an unconsciously planned process of testing them with the therapist and with each other. Therapist interventions were based on a case-specific Plan Formulation Method. Altruistic motives and efforts to adapt to the family environment are emphasized, lending to a humanistic, nonpathologizing, and collaborative approach to treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy by P. L. Wachtel (see record 2008-01938-000). Having produced important texts involving the integration of a psychoanalytic perspective with cognitive–behavioral and family systems perspectives, in the current book he turns his attention to seemingly divergent lines of thought within psychoanalysis itself. Psychoanalysis—that variegated, continually branching and diversifying body of theory and practice that started with Sigmund Freud but which has moved so far beyond its origins so as to be almost unrecognizable in some respects—is certainly Wachtel’s primary home. In this book, Wachtel sets out to try and get the house in greater order, both for psychoanalytic inhabitants themselves and for visitors from other theoretical homes. The collection of psychoanalytic perspectives that have gradually taken context into account as being equally important to those factors that are internal are referred to as relational. And it is to these perspectives, which sometimes diverge in significant ways from each other and also from “one-person,” internally focused perspectives, that Wachtel devotes his attention in this book. With Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy, Paul Wachtel has written an important book, one that will be particularly stimulating and useful to graduate-level-and-above students of psychotherapy. It will also be accessible, thought provoking and clarifying to open-minded psychotherapy practitioners of all stripes, particularly those who do not identify themselves as relational, psychoanalytic, or even psychodynamic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system.

Reviews the book, Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system by Melvin R. Lansky (see record 1992-98607-000). This book is composed of a collection of the author's essays which attempt to understand "the psychiatrically impaired father in a truly dynamic way." Drawing on contemporary psychoanalysis, family systems theory, and the sociology of conflict, Lansky sketches a richly textured portrait of fathers who fail. The reviewer believes that Lansky's probing discussion of narcissistic equilibrium in the family system enables him to chart the likely history of the more intimidating modes of distancing involving impulsive actions of impaired fathers. After summarizing the information presented in each chapter, the reviewer then concludes that the book largely succeeds in its task because it provides a deeper, more integrated clinical understanding of fathers who fail. It is highly recommended for selective reading for therapists and researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of between-session homework in systems-oriented individual psychotherapy.

This article focuses on the use of between-session homework assignments in Unified Therapy, an individual psychotherapy approach that integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems therapies. Unified therapy theory posits that, in clients with personality disturbances, ongoing and recurrent interpersonal behavior patterns within their family of origin serve as both behavioral triggers to and reinforcers of self-destructive or self-defeating behavior. Family behavior is believed to be the most powerful such environmental factor and is believed to have far more influence on patients than a therapist. Homework assignments are geared toward implementing strategies by which dysfunctional family patterns are altered. Strategies are designed by the patient and therapist, using role-playing techniques, which are described. A case example is presented to demonstrate the use of such homework throughout the arc of psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychoanalytic group theory and therapy: Essays in honor of Saul Scheidlinger.

Reviews the book, Psychoanalytic group theory and therapy: Essays in honor of Saul Scheidlinger (American Group Psychotherapy Association Monograph 7) edited by Saul Tuttman (1991). This book, which consists of original articles and is dedicated to Saul Scheidlinger and edited by Saul Tuttman, will be of great interest to the practicing analytic group therapist. It can also provide the individual analyst with an excellent overview of the current thinking of some of the leading figures in psychodynamic group therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)