Family Therapy

About the Author ix
 
Foreword to the Third Edition xi
 
Preface xiii
 
Acknowledgements xvii
 
Part One Central Concepts in Family Therapy 1
 
Chapter 1 Goals of Family Therapy across the Lifecycle 3
 
The Family Lifecycle 5
 
Lifecycle Stages Associated with Separation and Divorce 33
 
The Individual Lifecycle 41
 
Gender-role Development 48
 
Gay and Lesbian Lifecycles 49
 
Class, Creed and Colour 51
 
Conclusion 52
 
Further Readings 53
 
Chapter 2 Origins of Family Therapy 54
 
Movements: Child Guidance, Marriage Counselling and Sex Therapy 55
 
Disciplines: Social Work, Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology 56
 
Group Therapy: Group Analysis, Encounter Groups, Psychodrama and Gestalt Therapy 57
 
Research Traditions: Work Groups, Role Theory and Schizophrenia 59
 
Gregory Bateson 62
 
Three Organising Themes: Behaviour Patterns, Beliefs and Contexts 74
 
Conclusion 76
 
Glossary 77
 
Further Readings 79
 
Chapter 3 Theories that Focus on Behaviour Patterns 81
 
MRI Brief Therapy 81
 
Strategic Family Therapy 91
 

Structural Family Therapy 95
 
Cognitive-behavioural Couple and Family Therapy 98
 
Functional Family Therapy 101
 
Conclusion 104
 
Glossary 105
 
Further Readings 111
 
Chapter 4 Theories that Focus on Belief Systems 115
 
Epistemology: Positivism, Constructivism, Socialconstructionism, Modernism and Postmodernism 115
 
A Constructivist Approach to Family Therapy 125
 
Milan Systemic Family Therapy 130
 
Social-constructionist Developments 133
 
Solution-focused Therapy 137
 
Narrative Therapy 140
 
Conclusion 144
 
Glossary 146
 
Further Readings 154
 
Chapter 5 Theories that Focus on Contexts 160
 
Transgenerational Family Therapy

Professor Alan Carr is the director of the Doctoral training programme in clinical psychology at University College Dublin and Consultant Couple and Family Therapist at the Clanwilliam Institute in Dublin. He has published over 20 books and 200 academic papers and conference presentations in the fields of family therapy and clinical psychology. He has extensive experience in family therapy and clinical psychology, having worked in the field in the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

"It should continue to be considered as a valuable 'essential' text for those undertaking training in systemic/family psychotherapy and as a key reference for experienced therapists and educators in the field." ( Child & Family Social Work , 10 October 2014)