Explorations in Marital and Family Therapy

The field of marital and family therapy has awaited this collection of papers by one of its foremost pioneers - James L. Framo, a man of national and international prominence. These writings cover the wide range of Dr. Framo's work, from his theoretical orientation and his methods of working with families, couples, couples' groups, divorcing couples, and family of origin, to professional issues and the rarely discussed personal aspects of being a family therapist. Incisive and highly readable, these papers follow the progression of thinking of a foremost theoretician and give us the insights gained in his extensive clinical practice. In his introduction, Dr. Framo says: "My orientation to marital and family theory and therapy emphasizes depth, the dynamic aspects of family life, such as the psychology of intimate relationships, the interlocking of multi-person motivational systems, the relationship between the intrapsychic and the transactional, and the hidden transgenerational and historical forces that exercise their powerful influence on current intimate relationships." Dr. Framo demonstrates application of these concepts in a lucid manner that will be stimulating for both students and professionals in the field.