An Introduction to Family Therapy systemic theory and practice

by Dallos, Rudi; Draper, Ros

• ISBN13: 9780335216055
• ISBN10: 0335216056
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

This popular introduction to the theory and practice of family therapy offers a comprehensive overview of the core concepts and ideas that have developed in systemic theory from the 1950s to the present day. Thoroughly updated with the latest research and developments, and illustrated throughout with lively examples drawn from clinical practice, this user-friendly guide provides practical resources and suggestions for improved therapeutic practice.New to this edition: A new chapter on systemic formulation A new chapter on practice development 2000-2004 Increased coverage of the evidence base for the effectiveness of family therapy Stronger focus on attachment and psychodynamic perspectives Comprehensive references to key people, events and texts Written by experienced authors, this essential resource is key reading for students and practitioners of family therapy as well as those from the fields of counselling, psychology, social work and the helping professions who deal with family issues.

Author Biography

Rudi Dallos teaches at Plymouth University, United Kingdom. He has been involved in systemic family therapy for more than 20 years and has published widely.

Ros Draper is a senior clinical lecturer at the Tavistock Clinic and at the Institute of Family Therapy, in London. She has made significant contributions to the development of family therapy and systemic practice in the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

List of figures	xi
Notes on the authors	xii
Preface	xiii
Foreword	xvi
Acknowledgements	xix
Rudi Dallos
Dedication and acknowledgements	xx
Ros Draper
Introduction	1	(16)
Experiences of systemic and family therapy	2	(4)
A family's view	2	(2)
Two therapists' views	4	(2)
What is the 'family'?	6	(4)
The family life cycle	8	(2)
Allowing the family a voice	10	(2)
The organizing framework of this book	12	(4)
Key texts offering a historical overview of systemic and family therapy	16	(1)
1 The first phase — 1950's to mid- 1970's	17	(46)
Cultural landscape	17	(1)
Influential people and ideas	18	(20)
Seeds of systemic and family therapy	18	(5)
Systemic thinking — from intrapsychic to interpersonal	23	(1)
Systems theory — biological analogy	24	(1)
Emergent properties of a system	25	(1)
Circularities	25	(3)
Triads, triangulation and conflict detouring	28	(3)
Rules, pattern and process	31	(1)
Feedback	31	(1)
Family coordination through communication	32	(1)
Double-bind concept	32	(1)
Meta-communication	33	(1)
Open and closed systems	34	(1)
Family homeostasis	35	(1)
Family life cycle	36	(2)
Practice	38	(13)
Structural family therapy	38	(1)
Beliefs and structures	39	(1)
Therapeutic orientations	40	(1)
Directive stance	41	(3)
Strategic family therapy	44	(3)
Beliefs and premises	47	(2)
Strategic tasks	49	(2)
Commentary	51	(4)
Gender and shifting inequalities of power	52	(2)
Normative assumptions of life cycle models	54	(1)
Key texts	55	(1)
Skill guides	56	(7)
Family sculpting	56	(2)
Family tree and time line	58	(3)
Reframing	61	(2)
2 The second phase – mid-1970's to mid-1980's	63	(28)
Cultural landscape	63	(2)
Influential people and ideas	65	(9)
Second-order cybernetics	65	(2)
Meta-communication	67	(1)
Communication	68	(3)
The person as private 'biosphere'	71	(1)
Intention	71	(1)
Beliefs and actions in triads	72	(1)
Ecological perspective – multiple systems	73	(1)
Observing systems	74	(1)
Practice	74	(4)
Hypothesizing	74	(1)
Reframing	75	(2)
Co-construction of shared histories	77	(1)
Commentary	78	(4)
Moral and political implications	78	(2)
Power	80	(1)
Milan approaches	80	(1)
Positive connotation	81	(1)
Key texts	82	(2)
Skill guides	84	(7)
Teamwork	84	(1)
Hypothesizing	85	(2)
Positive connotation	87	(1)
Circular questioning	88	(1)
Transformational change	89	(2)
3 The third phase — mid- 1980's to 2000	91	(34)
Cultural landscape	91	(5)
Theoretical perspectives	92	(2)
Connections and links to the second and first phases of systemic family therapy	94	(2)
Influential people and ideas	96	(7)
View of the person – construction of experience	99	(4)
Practice	103	(11)
Brief solution-focused therapy	104	(2)
Reflecting teams	106	(1)
Narrative therapies	107	(1)
Externalizing problems	108	(2)
Writing	110	(1)
Feminist therapies	110	(1)
Power and the construction of reality	111	(1)
Culturally available stories	112	(2)
Commentary – feminist orientations	114	(2)
Key texts	116	(2)
Skill guides	118	(7)
Consultation	118	(1)
Externalizing the problem	119	(2)
Collaborative inquiry	121	(2)
Reflecting processes	123	(2)
4 Ideas that keep knocking on the door: emotions, attachments and systems	125	(26)
Introduction	125	(3)
Emotions and the first phase of family therapy 1950's to mid 1970's	128	(5)
Triangulation	129	(1)
The double-bind	129	(2)
Attachment theory	131	(2)
Emotions and the second phase of family therapy	133	(7)
Attachment theory: the move to internal representations	133	(2)
Attachment styles and couples' dynamics	135	(2)
Emotions in couples' interactions	137	(3)
Emotions and the third phase of family therapy	140	(8)
The language of emotions	141	(3)
Integration with psychoanalytic thinking	144	(4)
Key texts	148	(3)
5 Systemic formulation	151	(21)
Cultural landscape	151	(2)
Systemic theory: assessment and formulation	153	(6)
The first phase	154	(1)
The second phase — progressive hypothesizing	155	(1)
The third phase	156	(3)
Example of systemic formulation	159	(8)
Genograms	159	(2)
The referral	161	(1)
Deconstructing the problems	161	(1)
Contextual factors	162	(1)
Beliefs and explanations	163	(1)
Problem-maintaining patterns and feedback loops	163	(1)
Emotions and attachments	164	(1)
Synthesis	165	(1)
Formulations: Mary and Janet	165	(2)
Commentary	167	(1)
Key texts	168	(1)
Skill guide	169	(3)
Systemic formulation	169	(3)
6 Current practice development 2000-2005: conversations across the boundaries of models	172	(26)
Cultural landscape	172	(1)
Practice	173	(20)
Working with addictions	174	(7)
Working with post-divorce processes and contact disputes	181	(6)
Work in forensic contexts	187	(6)
Commentary	193	(3)
Formulation	193	(1)
Contexts	194	(1)
Patterns and processes	194	(1)
Multiple models	195	(1)
Key texts	196	(2)
7 Research and evaluation	198
Introduction	198	(1)
Why conduct research?	199	(3)
Science, research and systemic therapy	202	(5)
Varieties of research	204	(3)
Evaluation research: does family therapy work?	207	(10)
Group comparison evaluative studies	209	(4)
Evaluative case studies	213	(1)
Observational studies	214	(2)
Questionnaire and self-report studies	216	(1)
Therapy process research	217	(5)
A therapeutic process study	217	(1)
In-depth single case process study	218	(1)
Exploring the experience of family therapy	219	(3)
Family theory research	222	(4)
A participant observational study	222	(1)
Interview studies	223	(1)
A conjoint interview study	224	(1)
Case study series	225	(1)
Discussion and reflections	226	(1)
Key texts	227
Varieties of research	227	(1)
Family therapy outcome studies	228
8 Reflections and critique 2005	23	(217)
Current state of the art	233	(3)
Crystal ball gazing	236	(1)
Developmental perspectives	236	(1)
Review and summary	237	(1)
Integrations	238	(2)
Postscripts	240	(16)
Topic reading lists	256	(34)
Formats for exploration	290	(15)
Glossary of terms	305	(5)
British texts	310	(5)
References	315	(12)
Index	327