An Introduction to Family Therapy: Systemic Theory and Practice

Dallos (psychologist, previously with the Open University) and Draper (therapist and lecturer at The Tavistock Clinic and The Institute of Family Therapy) offer an introduction to the theory and practice of family therapy and systemic practice. They provide an overview of the core conceptual framework, illustrated throughout with clinical examples. The chapters contain historical information of the development of systemic ideas as well as a thorough description of the core ideas. The book is partly structured by means of a three-phase conceptual map. The three phases detail the development of the early formulations from ideas based predominantly in systems theory, the move to constructionist approaches, and finally contemporary practices inspired by social constructionist and associated narrative therapies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)