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Similar to the classic work from the same author,Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods, ninth edition, this volume contains up-to-date descriptions of the latest models; expanded coverage of applied clinical practice; new material on research, ethics, and diversity; new sections on treating single-parent, African-American and gay and lesbian families; new section on relationship enrichment programs; additional clinical case studies; and a consistent emphasis on clinical techniques throughout.The Essentials of Family Therapycontains less history and theory than its larger predecessor, and highlights the techniques of successful contemporaries in the field. Unlike competing volumes,Essentialswas written by a leading family therapist who has actually worked with many of the major figures in the field. Descriptions of the various models are based on actual experience with those models and their developers as well as on contributions of leading practitioners of those approaches.

Michael P. Nichols has been a leading teacher and practitioner of family therapy for 40 years. He trained with Salvador Minuchin and Murray Brown and has worked with many leaders of the various schools. He’s written a number of books, including the most respected textbook in family therapy, Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods, as well as the best-selling The Lost Art of Listening, and, most recently, Assessing Families and Couples: From Symptom to System (with Salvador Minuchin and Wai-Yung Lee). He currently teaches at the College of William and Mary. He is also a national champion powerlifter.

Foreword

Preface

Major Events in the History of Family Therapy

 

Part One: The Context of Family Therapy

1.        The Foundations of Family Therapy

2.        The Evolution of Family Therapy

3.        Getting Started in Family Therapy: Basic Techniques

4.        The Fundamental Concepts of Family Therapy

 

Part Two: The Classic Schools of Family Therapy

5.       Bowen Family Systems Therapy

6.       Strategic Family Therapy

7.       Structural Family Therapy

8.       Experiential Family Therapy

9.       Psychoanalytic Family Therapy

10.   Cognitive-Behavior Family Therapy

 

Part Three: Recent Developments in Family Therapy

11.   Family Therapy in the Twenty-First Century

12.   Solution-Focused Therapy

13.   Narrative Therapy

14.   Integrative Models

 

Part Four: The Evaluation of Family Therapy

15.   Comparative Analysis

16.   Research on Family Intervention: Family Treatment and Prevention Programs

 

Appendix A: Selected Readings

Appendix B: Careers and Training

Name Index

Subject Index