An Introduction To Family Therapy

In response to popular demand, Rudi Dallos and Ros Draper have produced a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the theory and practice of family therapy and systemic practice. This impressive book offers an overview of the core conceptual framework, illustrated throughout by clinical examples. The chapters contain historical overviews 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 constructivist approaches and finally contemporary practice inspired by social constructionist and associated narrative therapies. The coverage also includes chapters on emotions and attachments in families and an accessible chapter on research methods with a set of illustrative studies.

An innovative feature is the inclusion of a set of resources which can be employed by the individual reader or as part of teaching workshops. These include skill guides at the end of chapters which clearly illustrate the practice of core concepts and a substantial set of appendices containing topic reading lists, formats for exploration and a glossary. Overall the book is conceptually comprehensive as well as providing an accessible'hands-on' resource. It will be invaluable to practising and trainee family therapists, and other mental health professionals working with families in a variety of contexts.

Rudi Dallos is a psychologist who has been involved in systemic family therapy for over twenty years. He was previously with the Open University where he had written various texts on family life and relationships. He is currently a lecturer in clinical psychology and a consultant clinical psychologist specializing in therapeutic work with eating disorders, adult mental health and couples therapy. He has written several previous books utilizing both his research and clinical experiences, including: Family Belief Systems, Couples, Sex and Power and Interacting Stories.

Ros Draper is a senior therapist and teacher who has made major contributions to the development of family therapy and systemic practice in Britain over the last 25 years. As Senior Clinical Lecturer at The Tavistock Clinic, London, and The Institute of Family Therapy, London, she has worked in both adult and child psychiatric settings. In 1988 Ros co-founded the influential Systemic Thinking and Practice Book Series and her title Teaching Family Therapy (1993) remains a key text in the field. More recently Ros has developed ways of using family therapy and systemic practice in primary care and educational settings and, in addition to her private practice, is a member of the teaching and therapy team at the renowned Family Institute, Cardiff and at the Juniper Centre, an Eating Disorders Service in Southampton.